SPRINGFIELD – After leading historic dialogue on psilocybin treatments in Illinois last year, State Senator Rachel Ventura is continuing her work to bring forth the CURE Act – the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act – to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions, like PTSD, as well as research the safety and efficacy of psychedelic use.

“This bill aims to tackle the stigma surrounding plant-based medicine. Psilocybin would open new pathways in the brain to help pinpoint areas for healing. Integrated therapy-based sessions following its exposure would create real change for an individual who has exhausted other treatment methods,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Last session, we had bipartisanship collaboration on this novel piece of legislation that would aid veterans and those suffering with mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse and more.”

The CURE Act has gardened support from many mental health advocacy groups, psychedelic experts and more including Mental Health America of Illinois, the Illinois Psychedelic Society, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), ACLU Illinois and the Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

“Law Enforcement Action Partnership recognizes this bill as nothing short of life-saving, providing a proven means for people to work through their traumas and live happier, healthier and more productive lives,” said Dave Franco, retired police officer and spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Action Partnership. “Mental and behavioral health benefits can also have sizable impacts on community health and public safety. LEAP is fully in support of The CURE Act.”

Under the legislation, a referral would be required from a health care professional in order to begin the therapy. Prior to first exposure of psilocybin, an individual would undergo a prep session to gauge their conditions and previous treatments and methods they have tried. Post session integration meeting will ensure the individual has the resources and tools they need to work through the psilocybin experience.

The bill would also establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which would create a training program, ethical standards and licensing requirements. Additionally, psychedelic therapies would be administered in controlled, supervised settings to ensure safety and treatment effectiveness. Retail sales of these medicines would be prohibited and could only be used under supervision at designated service centers.

The CURE Act is awaiting committee assignment in the Senate.