A Movement for Healing and Freedom: The Launch of Our Petition for Psilocybin Therapy

Just three months ago, in late September 2022, I started a small grassroots petition. With the support of a small but dedicated following and the endorsements of a few key organizations, we set out to ask the Utah Legislature to recognize psilocybin therapy as a legal and viable option for healing. What began as a simple hope has quickly grown into a movement that has already exceeded my expectations.

The idea was straightforward but deeply ambitious: to advocate not just for the clinical applications of psilocybin but also for its spiritual significance. This wasn’t an easy stance to take. From the outset, there was immense pressure to keep the focus solely on clinical use, to present psilocybin as nothing more than another medical treatment. But I knew that approach wouldn’t tell the whole story. Psilocybin is not just a medicine; for many, it is a sacrament—a profoundly spiritual tool that fosters connection, meaning, and healing in ways traditional approaches often cannot.

With this understanding, we crafted a petition that emphasized the importance of protecting psilocybin’s dual role. We insisted that any future legislation must recognize its value not only for clinical and academic purposes but also for deeply personal and religious use. This stance was critical to the mission, and I’m proud that we stayed true to these principles - and have even made them safer, more effective and thorough.

The response has been overwhelming and humbling. Thousands have already signed the petition, showing their support for a more compassionate, inclusive approach to healing. This isn’t just about policy—it’s about creating a future where no one has to choose between their mental health and their faith, or between science and spirituality.