Updates From New Mexico: Community Engagement & Policy Advancement
The Psychedelic Mental Health Access Alliance (PMHA Alliance) is pioneering an equity-driven approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in New Mexico, integrating this transformative treatment into the state’s existing healthcare infrastructure. Our work centers on developing a model that Medicaid could fund that prioritizes accessibility for marginalized communities, ensuring that PAT can be a viable option for those who need it most. This effort, in collaboration with state leaders, healthcare institutions, and community organizations, aims to set a national precedent for equitable psychedelic care. Learn more about our New Mexico pilot here.
Better Outcomes Start Here: Community Engagement Begins!
The next six months of our work in New Mexico are dedicated to building strong community relationships and ensuring that local voices shape the care model. PMHA Alliance is partnering with the Bernalillo County Community Health Equity Council to better understand the barriers to PAT, identify culturally relevant care practices, and assess which social services—such as transportation, language support, childcare, and housing assistance—should be available to reduce obstacles to care.
In February, we held our first collaborative meeting with the Bernalillo County Community Health Equity Council, introducing both PMHA Alliance and our pilot to a consortium of over 20 organizations dedicated to health equity across the county. This initiative aligns with the understanding that "community-engaged research reduces health disparities and improves public health outcomes." (Harvard Public Health) By involving community members in the design and implementation of our programs, we ensure that our initiatives are responsive to their needs, leading to more effective and sustainable mental health solutions.
March 14, 2025, marks the first community listening engagement led by the Bernalillo County Community Health Equity Council, with Janus Herrera, Health Promotion Specialist, spearheading the effort. The HEC has put out a call to the community to come together and help shape the development of the pilot and clinical trial. This engagement will inform the model of care and identify the social supports and services needed to reduce barriers to accessing psychedelic-assisted therapy.
So far, 30 people have registered to attend in person, with an additional 15 joining virtually. The event will include both a main session and a dedicated Q&A, where Dr. Larry Leeman and his team, along with PMHA Alliance's Co-Director Hanifa Nayo Washington, will be available to answer questions. We’re eager to share insights from this first gathering and look forward to the community’s role in shaping this transformative initiative!
Policy Update: Senate Bill 219 and Funding for PAT Research
In a landmark decision, New Mexico Senate Bill 219, the Medical Psilocybin Act, has advanced past the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous support. The bill, which seeks to establish a state-licensed, medically supervised psilocybin therapy program, now moves to the Senate Finance Committee, bringing New Mexico closer to becoming the first state to legislate a statewide psilocybin treatment program through its legislature.
A Groundbreaking Step for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
SB 219 lays the groundwork for a strictly medical psilocybin therapy program, with no at-home use permitted. The initiative targets patients suffering from PTSD, depression, and addiction, with the possibility of expanding to other conditions based on emerging research. The bill also establishes an advisory board to oversee implementation, drawing from lessons learned in Oregon, the first state to create a state-regulated psilocybin therapy framework.
Additionally, the bill includes a first-of-its-kind equity fund, designed to expand access for underserved populations, ensuring that those most in need can afford treatment.
Beyond the legislative push for medical psilocybin, there’s promising news for the Psychedelic Mental Health Access Alliance (PMHA) and its work to develop Medicaid-fundable psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) models. A separate $500,000 funding proposal has been introduced by a state senator to support research at the University of New Mexico. This funding would ensure that vital research continues—regardless of whether SB 219 passes—allowing investigators to expand their focus on addiction treatment, end-of-life care, and other critical mental health applications of psilocybin therapy.
This development aligns with PMHA’s broader strategy of ensuring that psychedelic-assisted therapy is not only legalized but also backed by the real-world evidence necessary for Medicaid and other insurers to cover these treatments. By combining policy advocacy with research funding, New Mexico is positioning itself as a leader in advancing an equitable, evidence-based psychedelic care model.
Key Amendments Strengthening the Bill
During its latest committee hearing, senators approved several key amendments aimed at strengthening provider accountability and patient protections:
Clarifying provider liability to ensure that practitioners operate within medical standards of care.
Adding a veteran to the advisory board, reinforcing the program’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis among service members.
Emotional Testimony Underscores the Urgency
The Judiciary Committee hearing was marked by powerful testimony from veterans, first responders, and medical professionals, many of whom credited psychedelic-assisted therapy with saving their lives.
"Had I succeeded in my suicide attempt, my daughters wouldn’t just get a folded flag—they would inherit my pain," testified one Army veteran, underscoring the critical need for new mental health interventions.
"I’ve lost more friends to suicide than combat. Psychedelics saved my life," said a Marine veteran, echoing a sentiment shared by many in attendance.
A fire captain spoke to the devastating toll of mental health struggles among first responders:
"Since 2019, more firefighters have died by suicide than in the line of duty."
Their voices made it clear: for many, existing treatments have failed, and New Mexico cannot afford to wait.
What Happens Next? The Fastest Path to Passage
With SB 219 advancing past the Senate Judiciary Committee, the quickest path to success follows these key steps:
Senate Floor Vote – The bill must clear the full Senate, where its strong bipartisan support suggests a favorable outcome.
House Committee Review – At least one House committee, likely a health or judiciary committee, will need to assess the bill’s details and implications.
House Floor Vote – If approved in committee, SB 219 will move to the full House for a final vote.
If the bill successfully clears these hurdles, New Mexico would become the first state to pass a psilocybin therapy program through the legislature, setting a national precedent for regulated, medical-only access.
Meanwhile, the $500,000 research funding proposal provides a parallel opportunity—ensuring that even if the bill faces delays, scientific studies on psilocybin’s impact on PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life care continue at the University of New Mexico.
The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether New Mexico can lead the nation in building an evidence-based, accessible psilocybin therapy model.
For those following the bill’s progress, the full text of New Mexico SB 219 – The Medical Psilocybin Act is availablehere.