PSYCHEDELIC SERVICE REGULATIONS IN WASHINGTON

Washington continues to classify psilocybin and psilocin as Schedule I controlled substances. General possession, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and commercial sale remain illegal under state law.

Washington has authorized a limited psilocybin therapy pilot program, but it is a research-based clinical program rather than a public service-center market comparable to Oregon’s.

Psilocybin Therapy Pilot Program

The pilot program is established within and administered by the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. It is not administered as a commercial licensing program by the Washington State Department of Health.

Under RCW 19.410.010, the program is designed to provide psilocybin therapy through pathways approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its designated populations include adults aged 21 and older who are veterans or first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, or substance use disorders.

The law requires the pilot to include:

• Qualified healthcare professionals who facilitate services
• An initial participant assessment
• An integration session following treatment
• Safety, accessibility, and affordability considerations
• Outreach to populations historically underrepresented in clinical research

The law does not create separately licensed psilocybin facilitators, service centers, manufacturers, testing laboratories, or retail businesses.

University of Washington Clinical Trial

The University of Washington implemented the pilot through a controlled clinical study examining psilocybin-assisted psychological support for veterans and first responders with both alcohol use disorder and PTSD.

Participants underwent screening, preparation sessions, supervised treatment, integration sessions, and follow-up assessments. The study used a placebo-controlled design and enrolled a relatively small group of participants.

According to the University of Washington PsiloStudy page, the study stopped recruiting new participants on June 26, 2026.

Participation in this research study does not provide general legal access to psilocybin for Washington residents.

Business and Licensing Restrictions

Washington does not currently issue commercial licenses for:

• Psilocybin service centers
• Independent psychedelic facilitators
• Psilocybin manufacturers or processors
• Psychedelic testing laboratories
• Retail psychedelic stores or delivery businesses

Businesses cannot legally sell psilocybin products or offer psilocybin administration services to the general public under the pilot program.

Organizations involved in federally authorized clinical research must comply with applicable federal research approvals, controlled-substance requirements, professional licensing rules, and institutional protocols.

Local Decriminalization Policies

Some Washington jurisdictions have adopted policies that deprioritize enforcement against certain activities involving entheogenic plants and fungi.

In 2021, the Seattle City Council adopted Resolution 32021, declaring that investigation, arrest, and prosecution related to certain entheogen activities should be among the city’s lowest law-enforcement priorities.

Jefferson County adopted a similar enforcement-priority policy in 2023.

These policies do not legalize psilocybin under Washington law. They also do not authorize retail sales, commercial cultivation, manufacturing, or regulated service centers. State and federal controlled-substance laws continue to apply.

Payment Processing and Compliance

Because Washington does not license commercial psilocybin businesses, payment processing cannot make an otherwise prohibited psychedelic operation lawful.

Organizations conducting authorized research or providing legal, non-plant-touching wellness services may still face enhanced underwriting requirements. Payment eligibility depends on the organization’s activities, products, regulatory approvals, marketing claims, and completed underwriting.

Contact PayRio to discuss payment processing for an eligible research, wellness, or psychedelic-adjacent business.

PSYCHEDELIC LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN WASHINGTON

Washington’s recent psychedelic-policy efforts have focused primarily on research and possible future regulation.

In 2022, the state directed the Washington State Health Care Authority to organize a workgroup that studied psilocybin services, Oregon’s regulatory model, health and safety considerations, and the possible use of existing cannabis-tracking infrastructure.

In 2023, Washington enacted Second Substitute Senate Bill 5263. The final law created a Psilocybin Task Force, established the University of Washington pilot program, and protected licensed medical professionals from adverse licensing action solely for recommending psilocybin therapy services.

The governor partially vetoed the legislation. Among other changes, the veto removed the proposed Psilocybin Advisory Board and eliminated provisions assigning broader psilocybin regulatory responsibilities to the Department of Health and other state agencies.

The task force submitted its final recommendations in December 2023. The University of Washington subsequently launched its clinical study for veterans and first responders.

Lawmakers considered broader proposals during the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. House Bill 1433 proposed a regulated psychedelic-services system, while Senate Bill 5921 proposed a medical psilocybin program administered by the Department of Health. Neither proposal was enacted.

PSYCHEDELIC LEGALIZATION STATUS IN WASHINGTON

Current Status: Psilocybin remains illegal outside federally authorized research and limited legal exceptions

Washington currently allows:

• Psilocybin research through approved clinical-study pathways
• Participation in the University of Washington pilot by eligible research participants
• Licensed medical professionals to recommend psilocybin therapy services without adverse licensing action solely for making the recommendation
• Local jurisdictions to deprioritize certain enforcement activities

Washington does not currently allow:

• Public psilocybin service centers
• State-licensed psychedelic facilitators
• Retail psychedelic sales
• Commercial psilocybin cultivation or manufacturing
• General personal possession or home cultivation
• Take-home psilocybin products

Washington continues to explore possible medical and regulated-access frameworks, but no commercial psychedelic-services market has been authorized.

LAST UPDATED 9/10/2026 – Laws can be revised and updated frequently, so please keep this in mind.