STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1408

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 172

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 172 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A MEDICINAL PSILOCYBIN AND PSILOCIN WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE MEDICINAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF PSILOCYBIN AND PSILOCIN AND DEVELOP A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLAN TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINAL PSILOCYBIN AND PSILOCIN OR PSILOCYBIN-BASED AND PSILOCIN-BASED PRODUCTS THAT ARE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE FOR ELIGIBLE ADULT PATIENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Health to convene a Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group to examine:

(1) Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative rules, and procedures regarding the medicinal use of psilocybin and psilocin;

(2) Available medical, psychological, and scientific studies, research, and other information relating to the safety and efficacy of psilocybin and psilocin in treating mental health conditions; and

(3) Requirements, specifications, and guidelines for a medical professional to prescribe and provide psilocybin and psilocin to patients.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that mental health conditions are treated in various ways, depending on the condition, and can include medication, therapy, and psychosocial services. Your Committee further finds that studies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions demonstrate that psilocybin and psilocin, which occur naturally in certain species of mushrooms, have shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress. This measure requests the Department of Health to convene a working group examine the relevant issues regarding psilocybin and psilocin and, if feasible, to develop a long-term plan to ensure the availability of safe, accessible, and affordable medicinal psilocybin and psilocin in the State.

Your Committee acknowledges the testimony of the Department of Health, which recommended modifying the proposed members of the working group to enhance its expertise and promote manageability. Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title to reflect its amended purpose;

(2) Removing certain members from the working group;

(3) Limiting the size of the working group to no more than fifteen members; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 172, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 172, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair