On Tuesday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced the members of the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board, which includes Licensed Psychologist Dr. Kimberley Golletz, who practices in Corvallis. This is the first program nationwide to allow the regulated and therapeutic use of psilocybin.
The board, which includes doctors, researchers, therapists and fungi experts, among others, will collaborate for the framework of the program that was outlined in Measure 109 and voters approved in November.
“Like many, I was initially skeptical when I first heard of Measure 109,” said Brown in a press release. “But if we can help people suffering from PTSD, depression, trauma and addiction — including veterans, cancer patients, and others — supervised psilocybin therapy is a treatment worthy of further consideration.”
Measure 109 allowed a two-year implementation process that will begin on March 31 when the board meets. The press release also says that Brown’s recommend budget for 2021-2023 includes $5.6 million to implement the measure.
The board is going to be creating a system where people who are both 21 or older and have passed a screening can experience psychedelic mushrooms. They also will figure out how to license the storing and administration of the substance that is illegal nationally.
The possession of small amounts psilocybin and other drugs was decriminalized in November when Oregon voters approved Measure 110.
The Members of Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board are:
Public Health Director Designee: Andre Ourso, OHA
State Health Officer Designee: Dr. Tom Jeanne, OHA
Oregon Health Policy Board Designee: Barb Hansen
State Employee w/ Public Health Expertise: Ali Hamade, OHA
Local Health Officer: Dr. Sarah Present, Clackamas City
Addictions Medicine Specialist: Kevin Fitts, Portland
Licensed Psychologist: Dr. Kimberley Golletz, Corvallis
Licensed Physician: Dr. Todd Korthius, OHSU
Academic Researcher: Dr. Mason Marks, Portland
Mycologist: Jessie Uehling, Oregon State University
Harm Reduction Specialist: Angela Carter, Portland
Psychopharmacologic Specialist: Dr. Atheir Abbas, OHSU
OLCC: Nathan Rix
Oregon DOJ: David Hart
Chief Petitioner Designee: Tom Eckert
Public: Stephanie Barrs, Bend
Public: Dr. Rachel Knox, Portland
By: Hannah Ramsey