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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts bill decriminalizes limited psilocybin possession and establishes a community harm reduction grant fund
Last action · March 26, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)Sponsor: Marc Lombardo
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What This Bill Would Do
Possessing one gram or less of psilocybin or psilocin is reclassified as a civil infraction carrying a $100 fine and of the substance, removing criminal penalties for small amounts. Military veterans, first responders, individuals with qualifying mental or physical health conditions, and those using the substance for therapeutic, spiritual, or personal growth purposes are broadly exempt from these civil penalties. Collected fines will fund a new Department of Public Health grant program supporting local harm reduction and community organizations.
Residents caught possessing one gram or less of psilocybin face a $100 civil fine instead of criminal prosecution, while protected groups and individuals demonstrating therapeutic or spiritual use face no penalties at all. The measure also restricts state and local agencies from using small-scale psilocybin possession to deny student aid, public housing, professional licensing, driving privileges, or parental rights.
- Marc T. Lombardo represents the 21st Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Military veterans
Veterans are explicitly exempt from civil penalties and substance forfeiture for psilocybin possession under the Act.
First responders
First responders are exempt from civil penalties and forfeiture under the provisions of the measure.
Qualifying nonprofit organizations
Nonprofits with operating budgets under $500,000 are eligible to apply for grants from the Psilocybin Fines Trust Fund for harm reduction and community support services.
Minors under twenty-one
Offenders under 21 must complete a drug awareness program and community service, with parents subject to joint liability for failure to comply.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if someone is caught with a small amount of psilocybin?
Who is exempt from the civil penalties?
How are the collected fines used?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Mar 26, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- Oct 20, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 07/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-2
- Jul 15, 2025JointHearing rescheduled to 07/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on The Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift from Criminal to Civil Penalties
The bill reclassifies low-level possession of psilocybin from a criminal offense to a civil infraction while instituting broad exemptions for health conditions and ceremonial uses.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment15Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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