Coalition Seeks Updates to Psilocybin Rules as National Microdosing Rates Rise
As Oregon Health Authority (OHA) prepares to finalize its 2024 psilocybin rules this month, Microdosing Collective, the nation's leading nonprofit advocate for regulated microdosing access, has mobilized over 80 licensed psilocybin stakeholders to push for urgent updates to regulations governing sub-perceptual psilocybin sessions. The coalition, which includes 19 service centers, 58 facilitators, 5 manufacturers, 4 training programs, and 32 healthcare professionals, is urging the Oregon Health Authority to implement targeted rule changes that would enhance consumer protection while improving access.
"As the only national nonprofit focused on establishing safe, legal frameworks for microdosing, we've united Oregon's psilocybin stakeholders to advocate for common-sense policy reforms," said Sam Chapman, Policy and Development Director of Microdosing Collective. "With millions of Americans turning to microdosing for wellness support, Oregon has an opportunity to lead by creating an affordable, safety-focused framework that protects consumers while expanding access."
The coalition's proposed changes focus on two key areas:
"As the only national nonprofit focused on establishing safe, legal frameworks for microdosing, we've united Oregon's psilocybin stakeholders to advocate for common-sense policy reforms," said Sam Chapman, Policy and Development Director of Microdosing Collective. "With millions of Americans turning to microdosing for wellness support, Oregon has an opportunity to lead by creating an affordable, safety-focused framework that protects consumers while expanding access."
The coalition's proposed changes focus on two key areas:
(1) Session Duration Requirements
- Initial sessions: 30-minute minimum observation period
- Subsequent sessions: No mandatory minimum stay with signed client waiver
- Facilitators retain discretion to extend observation as needed
(2) Transportation Guidelines
- Remove transportation plan requirement for sub-perceptual sessions
- Enable self-transport with signed non-impairment waiver
"This is particularly impactful for clients wishing to utilizing microdosing protocols over a several week duration, like chronic migraine/pain and cluster headache (aka ‘suicide headache’) clients—having to arrange transportation solutions for numerous microdosing sessions is prohibitive and limits accessibility,” says Mike Averill, LCSW, founder of PNW Integration Center in Portland.
"By easing the time restrictions on a sub-perceptible amount of psilocybin in a microdose, we can better gauge the safety and effectiveness of psilocybin on a client that is looking for continuing psilocybin treatment,” says Jim Yue, Service Center Manager at Vital Reset in Hood River. “This will increase client safety and improve data collection along with creating a more friendly environment for individuals seeking additional treatments."
Recent data underscores the urgency of establishing clear regulations for microdosing. A RAND Corporation study found that 4 million Americans microdosed psilocybin in 2023, while the FDA has reported 175 illnesses, 70 hospitalizations, and three deaths potentially linked to unregulated psilocybin products across 33 states, including Oregon.
"These proposed changes reflect our mission to make sub-perceptual supplementation safe, legal, and accessible while protecting public health," Chapman added. "By implementing these updates, Oregon can continue its leadership in creating sensible psilocybin policy that serves both individual and public health needs."
About Microdosing Collective
Microdosing Collective is the only non-profit educational organization in the United States dedicated to advancing the right to microdose. Founded in 2023, it focuses on establishing a legal framework for microdosing psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as wellness supplements. The organization is committed to educating the public, supporting research, and advocating for policy changes to create a safer, more accessible microdosing landscape.
"By easing the time restrictions on a sub-perceptible amount of psilocybin in a microdose, we can better gauge the safety and effectiveness of psilocybin on a client that is looking for continuing psilocybin treatment,” says Jim Yue, Service Center Manager at Vital Reset in Hood River. “This will increase client safety and improve data collection along with creating a more friendly environment for individuals seeking additional treatments."
Recent data underscores the urgency of establishing clear regulations for microdosing. A RAND Corporation study found that 4 million Americans microdosed psilocybin in 2023, while the FDA has reported 175 illnesses, 70 hospitalizations, and three deaths potentially linked to unregulated psilocybin products across 33 states, including Oregon.
"These proposed changes reflect our mission to make sub-perceptual supplementation safe, legal, and accessible while protecting public health," Chapman added. "By implementing these updates, Oregon can continue its leadership in creating sensible psilocybin policy that serves both individual and public health needs."
About Microdosing Collective
Microdosing Collective is the only non-profit educational organization in the United States dedicated to advancing the right to microdose. Founded in 2023, it focuses on establishing a legal framework for microdosing psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as wellness supplements. The organization is committed to educating the public, supporting research, and advocating for policy changes to create a safer, more accessible microdosing landscape.
