SALEM, OR -- Oregon Psilocybin Services - a division of the Oregon Health Authority - began accepting applications for psilocybin-related business licenses this week. Section Manager Angie Allbee ?oversees implementation of Measure 109, passed by Oregon voters in 2020. She says the OHA adopted more than 70 pages of regulations for "magic mushrooms" over the past year, "This legalized framework really takes all four license types to operate and function." Those licenses are for manufacturing, testing, service centers and facilitators.

On Wednesday, Deschutes County Commissioners approved time, place and manner guidelines after a failed attempt to ban psilocybin-related businesses in rural areas. That ordinance goes into effect April fourth. Facilities will also be allowed inside the Bend city limits. Voters in other Central Oregon cities and counties voted in November to ban the now-legal industry.  

Allbee tells KBND News OPS has so far received two applications for manufacturers licenses and 32 for worker permits, but it will be spring before the first clients are served, "There’s going to be a number of factors involved with when people can submit applications for licenses, but we’re hoping by the second quarter of this year, or perhaps not far beyond that date, we would have at least one of our service centers opening to the public." That timeline is due to the licensing process, "You would need to have the manufacturers cultivating the psilocybin products; you’d have to have those products tested by testing labs before they could be sold to service centers. And, you would need your licensed facilitators, whether they’re employees or independent contractors." Those facilitators are required to conduct preparation sessions with clients before administering psilocybin. 

Retail dispensaries are not allowed. Click HERE for more information from the OHA on the licensing process and what clients can expect.