New Mexico health officials aim to kick off medical psilocybin program a year early

OG article by Leah Romero

December 9, 2025

New Mexico health officials announced plans to launch the state's medical psilocybin program a year early, targeting initial patient access by December 2026, during the first meeting of the Medical Psilocybin Advisory Board on December 5, 2025. The program, established by Senate Bill 219 passed earlier in 2025 and cosponsored by state Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), legalizes psilocybin for therapeutic use in controlled medical settings, making New Mexico the third state to do so. Eligible conditions include major treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, end-of-life care, and others approved by the Department of Health (DOH). The bill mandated implementation no later than December 31, 2027, but DOH's Center for Medical Cannabis and Psilocybin director, Dominick Zurlo, cited high public interest in accelerating the timeline. The department has hired a program manager and is recruiting for an environmental scientist and compliance officer roles. Steinborn described the initiative as a "renaissance" in psychedelic medicine, urging innovation and noting other states will observe New Mexico's approach. Public comments expressed support, curiosity about treatment availability, local mushroom supply chains, and provider licensing. Denali Wilson from the Healing Advocacy Fund emphasized priorities of safety, ethics, outcome measurement, affordability, and equity, cautioning against rushed timelines compromising these aspects. The board discussed draft operational procedures in a virtual meeting with DOH experts, Steinborn, and public participants.