STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2890

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3160

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 3160, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSILOCYBIN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the therapeutic psilocybin working group to examine the medicinal and therapeutic effects of psilocybin and develop a long-term strategic plan to ensure the availability of therapeutic psilocybin or psilocybin-based products that are safe, accessible, and affordable for adults twenty-one years of age or older.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Economic Development Board; JW's Mushrooms, Inc.; Clarity Project; Heroic Hearts Project; and thirty individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that psilocybin is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in certain species of mushrooms that can activate serotonin receptors in the brain. There are now numerous studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin as a treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress. Given Hawaii's shortage of mental health professionals, it is essential for the State to fully examine all available treatment options. This measure establishes a working group to evaluate the medicinal and therapeutic effects of psilocybin and strategic plan to ensure safety of and access to psilocybin products.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding two physicians with specialties in substance abuse and psychiatry to the working group; and

(2) 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3160, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3160, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair