From Progress to Pushback: Why Oregon’s Psychedelic Revolution Is Losing Ground

When Oregon legalized the therapeutic use of psilocybin in 2020, it was hailed as a landmark move in drug reform. Measure 109 offered hope for those seeking alternatives to conventional mental health treatments, paving the way for licensed psilocybin service centers. Yet four years later, a growing number of cities and counties in Oregon are voting to ban or restrict the substance, signaling a broader shift in voter sentiment against drug liberalization policies.

What happened to the enthusiasm that once defined Oregon’s progressive drug reform movement?

In November 2023, voters in four Oregon cities, including suburbs of Portland and rural areas, approved measures to ban psilocybin. Meanwhile, 12 communities that had implemented two-year moratoriums in 2022 voted to make those bans permanent. This builds on the broader rejection of psilocybin across the state in recent years, with over 100 cities and most counties initially opting out of Measure 109.

Adding to the momentum, neighboring states like Massachusetts recently rejected measures to legalize or decriminalize psychedelics. Even recreational cannabis—once the poster child for successful drug reform—faced setbacks this election, as voters in three states voted down legalization measures.

Experts suggest this reflects a growing national pushback against liberal drug policies. “The pendulum appears to be swinging back towards prohibition,” said Josh Hardman, founder of Psychedelics Alpha, a consulting firm focused on psychedelic policy.

Oregon’s psilocybin program is also suffering from a public relations problem rooted in its association with Measure 110, a separate 2020 law that decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine. The rollout of Measure 110 faced significant criticism for rising public drug use and overdose deaths, especially as the state grapples with the fentanyl crisis.

Confusion about the two measures has led some residents to conflate psilocybin’s therapeutic use with broader drug decriminalization. Service centers have reported that clients mistakenly believe psilocybin bans are linked to Measure 110’s rollback earlier this year.

“Oregon really has not done a great job managing its drug policy,” said Joe Buck, mayor of Lake Oswego, a Portland suburb that recently banned psilocybin. 1“I can understand how some people may be wary of the promises that are now being made around psilocybin.”

Despite the backlash, licensed psilocybin centers continue to operate in Oregon, with over 30 facilities serving clients in urban hubs like Portland. Advocates argue that psilocybin’s controlled use in supervised settings has proven safe and transformative for individuals seeking help for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.

Kat Thompson, founder of a psilocybin center in Beaverton, notes that her facility has served 400 clients in its first year, with overwhelmingly positive outcomes. “By and large, it is extremely safe,” Thompson said, adding that in more than 16,000 doses administered statewide, there have been only five incidents requiring emergency medical intervention.

However, the program’s high costs—up to $2,000 per session due to licensing expenses—limit accessibility and exacerbate public skepticism. Critics have also likened psilocybin centers to cannabis dispensaries, further muddying their purpose and undermining their therapeutic credibility.

The resistance to psilocybin legalization in Oregon mirrors broader national trends. Voters across the U.S. are showing less appetite for drug reform, particularly amid the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crises. Drug policy advocates are now tasked with rebuilding public trust and educating voters on the distinctions between therapeutic psychedelics and broader decriminalization measures.

Psilocybin supporters emphasize the need for more research and better public messaging to shift perceptions. Colorado, the only other state to legalize therapeutic psilocybin, has adopted stricter guidelines to avoid the pitfalls seen in Oregon.

“The path forward requires careful oversight and a focus on community trust,” said Buck. “Voters need to see these programs work before they can embrace them.”

Are Voters Right to Push Back Against Psychedelic Therapy in Oregon?