(The Center Square) – Virginia approved a law that would allow psilocybin to be used in medical settings if federal regulators give it the green light.
The legislation, Senate Bill 379, was introduced by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko and directs the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to reschedule psilocybin after approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
That means doctors could administer it under supervision. It would not be available for general or recreational use.
Right now, psilocybin remains illegal under federal law and is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no accepted medical use.
Boysko said the bill is intended to expand treatment options, pointing to the impact of suicide on veterans and their families.
In 2023, 172 veterans in Virginia died by suicide, according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The law itself does not change access today. It only takes effect if the federal government approves a psilocybin-based treatment.
A fiscal impact statement from Virginia’s Department of Planning and Budget found the bill is expected to have minimal impact, with costs handled within existing resources.
At the federal level, second-term Republican President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order directing agencies to accelerate review of treatments for serious mental illness, including psychedelic compounds.
If federal approval occurs, Virginia’s law would allow the state to move quickly to permit its use in regulated medical settings.
Oversight would fall to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the governor’s office and the bill’s sponsor.
