New psychedelic legislative efforts in WA; NJ bill passes; MindMed and Cybin rebranding

Psychedelic policy and industry updates across Washington and New Jersey anchor this newsletter issue. Washington State’s 2026 legislative session includes reintroduced bills that would create state-regulated psychedelic services programs, plus another proposal to focus psilocybin under the Department of Health for medical use only. A separate WA advocacy effort seeks access for adults over 21 and would allow possession, cultivation, preparation, and gifting of several natural psychedelic substances, alongside rules for advertising and retention of Washington residency for psychedelic businesses. In New Jersey, the Senate passes a bill (S2283) that appropriates $6 million to a two-year psilocybin research pilot, with amendments adding explicit integration requirements and hospital participation across regions. The issue also covers safety practices at 49 retreat organizations, highlighting substantial variability in screening criteria and differences in whether licensed healthcare professionals are involved. Finally, it discusses a scientific and ethical debate about psychoplastogens, framing them as drugs that are chemically similar to psychedelics but aim to reduce or avoid the experience of the “trip,” and it notes rebranding moves by MindMed (to Definium) and Cybin (to Helus).