A state report on psychedelics was released earlier this month by Minnesota’s Psychedelic Medicine Task Force (PMTF). In that report, the PMTF recommended decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms.
The PMTF was created in 2023; one of many provisions included in a health omnibus bill that was passed by Democrats in control of state government.
According to state law, the task force was specifically created “to advise the legislature on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.”
The task force was made up of 23 individuals from across the public and private sector. The PMTF met regularly from November 2023 to December 2024 and ended up making three recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature.
The most significant recommendation made by the task force was a recommendation to decriminalize the personal use and possession of psychedelic mushrooms.
Other recommendations from the PMTF include establishing a state-operated program for the “therapeutic administration” of psychedelic mushrooms and allocating funding for more research on the “health benefits” of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
In order for the PMTF to officially make a recommendation, two-thirds of the 23 members must vote in favor of a proposed recommendation. Any proposed recommendations that failed to achieve favorable votes from 67% of the task force members were rejected.
The rejected recommendations included decriminalizing the production of psychedelic mushrooms, creating a regulated adult-use market for psychedelic mushrooms, creating a regulated program for the “clinical administration” of synthetic MDMA and LSD, and decriminalizing the personal use and possession of MDMA and LSD.
All of the rejected recommendations achieved the support of at least 50% of the task force, but did not get the required 67% super-majority.
According to the task force, the report issued by the PMTF “is a product of the shared perspectives and experiences of its appointed members, and not of any one individual nor of any of the state agencies that served on it.”
Proponents of psychedelics claim that various psychedelic substances have medical applications and can be used to successfully treat various mental health conditions. Despite these claims, psychedelics can cause severe and permanent negative effects to users.
According to American Addiction Centers, psychedelics can cause cardiovascular issues, problems with muscular coordination, anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, visual hallucinations, feelings of disassociation, and paranoia. Additionally, “bad trips” from psychedelics can result in erratic behavior and severe accidents in response to the distortions being experienced by the user.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that almost “all hallucinogens are illegal, and researchers don’t consider any amount of use safe.”
At this stage, the PMTF’s recommendations are merely suggestions to the Minnesota Legislature. To become law, the proposals would need to be approved by the Minnesota Legislature and then be signed into law by the governor.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
