A version of the following public comment was submitted to the Maine House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on March 31, 2025.
Legislative Document 1034 represents a modest step forward in drug policy reform by decriminalizing personal possession of therapeutic amounts of psilocybin for adults. This bill does not create a commercial market or legalize retail sales—it only removes criminal penalties for adults who possess small, personal-use amounts of psilocybin.
Reason Foundation has comprehensively reviewed the available scientific literature on psilocybin and found that it presents a strong safety profile. Specifically, psilocybin is associated with low physiological toxicity, minimal risk of abuse or addiction, generally well-tolerated psychological effects, and no evidence of lasting harmful physiological or psychological outcomes.
In clinical settings, psilocybin has shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorders, neurological disorders, and end-of-life distress. Studies also consistently show that the psilocybin experience can lead to lasting improvements in mental health, with patients often describing the experience as among the most personally meaningful of their lives.
We believe adults should not be criminalized for seeking out the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
LD 1034 creates space for broader policy conversations
As other states have begun to explore safe, regulated access pathways for psychedelic compounds, Maine now has an opportunity to consider frameworks that ensure both personal freedom and public health protections.
Future legislation could explore a license-type model that allows trained facilitators to guide individuals through psilocybin experiences in supported settings. These models promote safety, informed use, and equitable access while still exploring promising alternative treatments.
Reason Foundation has been actively engaged in policy conversations surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapy and access models across the country. We would welcome the opportunity to support Maine in developing a regulatory framework that reflects the latest scientific evidence and centers patient well-being.
Conclusion
Psilocybin is safe, and adults should not face criminal punishment for seeking its therapeutic effects. LD 1034 creates an opening for more robust, regulated approaches to mental health care in the future. We urge the committee to support this bill and consider Maine’s role as a leader in safe, forward-thinking psychedelic policy.