(1) Oregon has the one of the highest prevalence of mental illness among adults in the nation;
(2) An estimated one in every five adults in Oregon is coping with a mental health condition;
(3) The Governor has declared addiction as a public health crisis in this state;
(4) The 2019-2021 Governor’s Budget proposes spending over $2.8 billion on mental health and behavioral health programs;
(5) Studies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions indicate that psilocybin has shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including but not limited to addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress;
(6) The United States Food and Drug Administration has:
(a) Determined that preliminary clinical evidence indicates that psilocybin may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies for treatment-resistant depression; and
(b) Granted a Breakthrough Therapy designation for a treatment that uses psilocybin as a therapy for such depression;
(7) The Oregon Health Authority has direct supervision of all matters relating to the preservation of life and health of the people of this state;
(8) During a two-year program development period, the authority should:
(a) Examine, publish, and distribute to the public available medical, psychological, and scientific studies, research, and other information relating to the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions; and
(b) Adopt rules and regulations for the eventual implementation of a comprehensive regulatory framework that will allow persons 21 years of age and older in this state to be provided psilocybin services; and
(9) An advisory board should be established within the authority for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the authority. [2021 c.1 §1]
Note: As originally enacted by the people, the leadline to ORS 475A.200 read "Findings." The leadline was changed by editorial action.