Iowa state representative Jeff Shipley (R-Fairfield) introduced two bills to the House Public Safety Committee last week that are look to reschedule psilocybin, MDMA and other potential materials for medical use.
“I believe an Iowan should not be criminalized for trying to use psychedelic substances for medicinal purposes,” Shipley said in a press release.
H.F. 248 removes psilocybin and psilocin, the active chemicals in magic mushrooms aka shrooms from the list of schedule 1 controlled substances under Iowa’s uniform controlled substances act. And H.F. 249 seeks to allow the board of pharmacy to reclassify MDMA, Ibogaine and Psilocybin controlled substances for medicinal purposes. It also removes the penalties when these substances are utilized for medicinal purposes pursuant to the rules of the board of pharmacy.
The DEA currently identifies Psilocybin, MDMA and Ibogaine as Schedule 1 drugs, meaning they have no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse, says Shipley. “A significant body of research indicates that there are substantial medical benefits. If these drugs can help our veterans who suffer with PTSD, our family members who suffer with an addiction, or help a loved one get relief from near death anxiety, we should be doing all we can to push making these options safe and available.”
Last October an a report from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine suggested that psilocybin be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug like sleeping aids. The report also indicated that although mushrooms have been used for millennia for spiritual and medical purposes with no physical dependance potential and that psilocybin may provide therapeutic benefits supporting its development as a new drug.
“Current tools offered through the FDA offer treatment of symptoms associated with addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health issues,” Shipley continues. “Psychedelics offer a potential cure. I support research for what these drugs may offer. In the meantime, I don’t see putting a person in jail serves the public. Especially when it empowers them to help themselves.”
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