Welcome to the Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) 2024 Spring Newsletter
2024 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE
The 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned on March 7, 2024. While there were no changes to ORS 475A, the legislature passed HB 4002, which makes significant changes to Ballot Measure 110. This legislation does not affect regulated psilocybin services in Oregon, which includes psilocybin that is lawfully produced, transferred, and consumed under ORS 475A. Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) is sharing this news for informational purposes only.
Under the new law, certain drug offenses that were previously classified as Class E violations have been reclassified as misdemeanors. These changes take effect on September 1, 2024, once the bill is signed by the Governor. On that date, possession of less than 10 grams of psilocybin will be a drug enforcement misdemeanor offense. These changes do not affect individuals or business that are licensed by OPS, as long as those individuals and entities are complying with ORS 475A.210 to 475A.722 and the rules adopted by the Oregon Health Authority. HB 4002 does not affect clients who purchase and consume psilocybin at licensed service centers. For additional questions, please review HB 4002 – Enrolled.
UPDATED FACT SHEET AND COMMUNITY CIRCLE INVITATION
The OPS Fact Sheet has been updated and we encourage you to share this informational resource with your community. The updated version will also soon be available in Spanish.
If you would like to learn more about scheduling a meeting or co-hosting a community circle with OPS team members, please visit the OPS website and make the request through the Request a Meeting link. Together, we can explore creating a virtual event for you and your community to share your perspectives and get your questions answered.
2024 RULEMAKING
OPS will open administrative rules later this year. Rulemaking will include requirements for data collection and reporting related to the implementation of Senate Bill 303 and address recommendations from the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board (OPAB) that are within the statutory authorities of ORS 475A.
OPS will convene new Rules Advisory Committees (RACs) this summer and will be seeking volunteers to apply to serve on the 2024 RACs. If you are interested in serving on a RAC, please make sure you are on the OPS Distribution List to receive more updates about the 2024 rulemaking process.
SAVE THE DATES – 2024 PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS
OPS hosts annual public listening sessions for members of the public to share feedback on the ongoing administration of the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act (ORS 475A). Input from the public listening sessions will help to inform draft rules, program development, educational materials, and future community engagement.
There will be three virtual public listening sessions this June. The listening sessions will be 90 minutes in length and open to the public. Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation are provided, as well as CART captioning. More information will be sent to the OPS Distribution List and posted to the OPS Website. In the meantime, please save the dates!
- Tuesday, June 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Pacific Time)
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024 11:30am - 1:00pm (Pacific Time)
- Thursday, June 27, 2024 11:30am - 1:00pm (Pacific Time)
OPS LICENSING STATS
As of March 25, 2024, OPS has issued the following number of licenses and worker permits:
License Type
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Number of Licenses
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Facilitators
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276
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Service Centers
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23
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Manufacturers
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9
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Laboratories
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2
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Worker Permits
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532
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This information is updated weekly in our Weekly Report on Applications for Licenses and Worker Permits webpage.
LICENSE RENEWALS
Some of the first psilocybin licensees in Oregon are renewing, or preparing to renew, their licenses. We recently published new guidance for how licensees can complete the required annual license renewal application process:
PSILOCYBIN TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) rules require psilocybin training programs to acquire and maintain licenses with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) or receive a determination from HECC that a license is not required. For more information on this requirement please see the Psilocybin Training Program Information page.
If you are a student who plans to enroll in a psilocybin training program, it is important to confirm that the training program meets these requirements. If you enroll in a program that does not meet requirements, your training will not qualify as meeting the requirements for an OPS Facilitator License. OPS has created a new Student Information Page which has more information for people who are just beginning their journey to becoming a licensed facilitator in Oregon. This webpage will also soon include a new spreadsheet that will list all psilocybin training programs that meet the OPS and HECC requirements set in rule.
INFORMATION ON OPS INVESTIGATIONS
OPS will investigate complaints, incidents, or concerns related to statute and rule violations that occur on licensed premises and during the provision of psilocybin services. If you have a complaint or a concern about a psilocybin licensee, please File a Complaint.
Once we receive a complaint, OPS will determine if there are potential violations of ORS 475A or OAR 333-333 and whether the Oregon Health Authority is the agency with jurisdiction to take further action.
Oregon Psilocybin Services will only investigate violations of ORS 475A or OAR 333-333. If your complaint is related to criminal activity, please contact law enforcement.
During an investigation we will conduct interviews with the complainant, witnesses, and licensees involved. If needed, we will also interview clients. Additionally, OPS will request all relevant records and any security camera footage, if available.
If statute or rule violations are discovered and there is enough evidence to prove the violation, the licensee will be issued a notice of a proposed administrative action that proposes some disciplinary licensing action and/or civil penalty. Administrative sanctions depend on the severity of violation and may include restriction of a license, civil penalties, or suspension or revocation of a license. For more information on categories of OPS’s administrative violations, please reference OAR 333-333-6200.
OPS GUIDANCE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
In January, OPS published OPS Guidance on Administrative Rules to provide guidance to training programs, licensees, and license applicants on how to comply with current OPS administrative rules.
OPS will continue to update this document on a regular basis, so please reference the most current version posted online. As a reminder, you can perform a word search using the “Find” tool (Ctl+F on PCs, or Command+F on Macs) to identify topics of interest.
We welcome your feedback.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with comments or questions.
www.oregon.gov/psilocybin
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