“We are encouraged by the growing body of rigorous research exploring the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant types of mental illness.”

By Jack Gorsline, HorizonMass

Massachusetts psychedelic policy advocates recently marked a significant milestone at a July 15 legislative hearing, which featured testimony on four of the 12 psychedelics-related bills filed this year on Beacon Hill. The hearing was highlighted by a historic, first-ever endorsement of psychedelic decriminalization-specific legislation anywhere by a professional psychiatric society: The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS).

Among the bills addressed at the hearing of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary was H.1726, sponsored by state Rep. Homar Gómez (D), which seeks to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin.

Another proposal, H.1624 from state Rep. Mike Connolly (D), proposes a psychedelics task force to consider equity in psychedelic access.

H.1858, from state Rep. Marc Lombardo (R), aims to reduce legal penalties for psilocybin possession by imposing a $100 fine for quantities under one gram, effectively decriminalizing small amounts.

And S.1113, sponsored by state Sen. Cindy Friedman (D), directs the Department of Public Health (DPH) to create a trial program for medically supervised psilocybin therapy, specifically excluding ownership by “cannabis industry organizations, psychedelic molecule development companies or pharmaceutical companies.”

Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supports psychedelics measures

The endorsement from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, a professional organization representing approximately 1,400 psychiatrists across the state, was a notable development.

Dr. Jhilam Biswas, speaking on behalf of the MPS, stated, “I’m here today to express the society’s support for H.1624, H.1726, H.1858 and S.1113, bills that allow for the dismissal of complaints for the simple possession of psilocybin, provided that if the individual meets clear safety-based criteria, which is being over the age of 21, not operating a vehicle and not endangering of children.”

Dr. Biswas clarified that the society’s support was not a “blanket endorsement of recreational psychedelic use,” noting its opposition to last November’s Ballot Question 4, which members believed was “too far reaching and lacked necessary safeguards.” She emphasized, “While we know there is promising research happening in psychedelic medicines in the field of psychiatry and medicine, broad and premature access to many different substances without caution is not only dangerous, but does impact the research community.”

In contrast, Dr. Biswas described the current bills as a “more balanced and responsible approach,” applying “narrowly to define situations to adults over 21 who are not driving and not endangering children, and whose action caused no harm to others.” She added, “It gives courts more discretion and it maintains important public safety protections while avoiding any unnecessary criminal penalties.”

The MPS also acknowledged the amount of research into psychedelics for mental illness treatment.

“Moreover, we are encouraged by the growing body of rigorous research exploring the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant types of mental illness,” Dr. Biswas said. “Institutions like our local EMC hospitals and research centers in Massachusetts are leading these studies with promising early outcomes.” She concluded by urging legislators to view these bills “not just at, this as criminal justice reform, but as a public health opportunity.”

According to the organization Mass Healing, the MPS’s endorsement of these three psilocybin decriminalization proposals marks the first time any branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has endorsed psychedelics legislation of any kind.

Curiously, the MPS’s recent endorsement contrasts with testimony provided at a previous psychedelics bill hearing last month. Outgoing MPS President Dr. Nassir Ghaemi opposed H.2506, which sought to decriminalize possession of up to 50 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms, stating he was speaking “on his own behalf, as well as that of the society.”

Plant medicine advocates testify on Beacon Hill

Former Yes on 4 campaign staffer Graham Moore also spoke in favor of the bills, acknowledging that the previous measure “went too far for the people of Massachusetts right now.” The advocate championed the current proposals as “much more narrowly tailored,” and emphasized that “people don’t want lives ruined over simple possession, but people also do not want unlimited green light to everybody’s all sorts of psychedelics.”

Moore also refuted claims of increased public health problems in areas that have decriminalized psilocybin, citing Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Colorado as well as the Netherlands, where legal psilocybin availability has not led to widespread abuse due to its non-addictive nature.

Timothy Morris is a Billerica resident who, along with fellow advocate and Mass resident Henry Morgan, submitted H.1726 to state Rep. Gómez. At the hearing, he expressed his gratitude for the process: “I’m thankful that we’re able to get the ball rolling so soon after question 4, as well as for Dr. Biswas’s supporting testimony.”

Morris added, “The fact that Institutions—such as the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society—are beginning to support the decriminalization movement, marks the start of a powerful paradigm shift for related public policy.”

This article is syndicated by the MassWire news service of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. If you want to see more reporting like this, make a contribution at givetobinj.org.

Politics makes strange bedfellows and add in cannabis and you got some interesting news

In a dramatic turn this week, a GOP Senator rides to the rescue of hemp.  While as a party they haven’t lined up support cannabis and hemp, GOP Senator Rand Paul (R‑KY) successfully blocked a proposed federal ban on hemp-derived THC products had been inserted into a critical spending bill on agriculture and related funding. The provision sought to redefine hemp by capping total THC—including delta‑8, delta‑10, and THCA—rather than just delta‑9 THC, effectively outlawing most edible hemp products

RELATED: Guess Who Is A Big Supporter Of Legalizing Marijuana

The hemp-derived THC market in the U.S.—centered on delta‑8, delta‑10, and similar compounds—jumped nearly 1,283% from 2020 to 2023, rising from $200.5 million to approximately $2.8 billion. Meanwhile, the broader U.S. legal cannabis (marijuana) industry reached roughly $38.5 billion in 2024, expected to climb to over $44 billion in 2025.

Globally, the industrial hemp market—including fiber, seeds, food and wellness applications—is estimated at $6.6 billion in 2024, and projected to hit $25–26 billion by 2034. North America is a hub for both cannabis and hemp, with legal cannabis valued at $26.6 billion in 2024 and forecast to grow over 10‑fold to $285 billion by 2034.

Industry stakeholders emphasize hemp’s unique position: it’s federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, so long as delta‑9 THC remains under 0.3%. Federal safety net distinguishes hemp‑THC products from marijuana, which remains federally illicit despite many states permitting recreational or medical use.  Hemp has become increasingly popular, in Texas, Bayou City Hemp Company, the parent of Bayou Beverage, has taken hemp‑derived THC drinks mainstream.

RELATED: Gen Z Increasing Alcohol Intake Without Cutting Cannabis

Senator Paul’s move reflects the intersection of politics, agriculture, and emerging consumer markets. As lawmakers weigh the future of hemp‑THC regulation, the broader cannabis industry—and its relationship with alcohol and public policy—continues its rapid evolution.

[PRESS RELEASE] – ORLANDO, Fla., July 29, 2025 – Goldflower Cannabis, one of Florida’s fastest-growing vertically integrated cannabis companies, announced the opening of its newest dispensary located at 24830 S Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Fla., 34134, projected to debut on Aug. 30, 2025.

This marks another milestone in Goldflower’s rapid statewide expansion—following recent openings in Miami and Orlando—and the beginning of an even stronger presence in Southwest Florida.

Highlights of the Bonita Springs location include:

• Premium Cannabis Products: Stocking a full suite of flower, solventless concentrates, premium edibles, tinctures, topicals and pre-rolls, including the flagship Ideal Cannabis line cultivated under organic-style practices.
• Educational and Community Focus: Staffed with trained budtenders and featuring an inviting lounge space, visitors will also enjoy ongoing “Meet the Grower/Maker” events that connect patients to the cultivation and production process.
• Luxury Retail Experience: The dispensary embodies Goldflower’s signature boutique aesthetic—curated materials, open yet discreet storefront, intimate consultation areas, and a design-forward Flower Bar showcasing premium products.

Goldflower Cannabis operates multiple medical marijuana treatment centers across Florida—from Miami to Orlando—built on a vertically integrated model that spans cultivation, extraction, product manufacturing and retail. The company is known for its unwavering commitment to purity, patient education and world-class service delivered in beautifully designed environments.

“Bonita Springs is a natural and very strategic next step for us,” Goldflower Cannabis President Angelo Lombardi said. “We’ve always believed that cannabis retail should be warm, welcoming, and genuinely helpful—especially in communities like Bonita that value wellness and connection. Bonita Springs is the closest city to Naples that allows cannabis, and as such, is a very strategic site for us to serve not only the city but the residents of Naples seeking cannabis for wellness. It also adds another site to our growing presence on Florida’s west coast with dispensaries already in Largo, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, now in Bonita Springs and Cape Coral to open before the end of the year.”

Goldflower’s Bonita Springs location will join its existing dispensaries in Miami and Orlando (which opened earlier this summer), Bradenton, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sebring and Tampa, with additional locations planned in Lakeland, The Villages, Cape Coral, Orange Park, Tallahassee, Gainesville and Punta Gorda.

For more on Goldflower Cannabis, and to be kept up to date with opening news and brand developments, visit: goldflowerfl.com.