A First-in-the-Nation Effort
In November 2020, Oregon became the first state in the country to create a legal framework for psilocybin services. Measure 109—the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act—was passed by voters with a simple but groundbreaking idea: adults should have access to psilocybin in safe, supported settings.
This was not a story of corporations or outside investors pushing an agenda. It was the result of grassroots organizing, community education, and collaboration among advocates, therapists, veterans, survivors, and everyday Oregonians who saw the need for new approaches to healing.
The Path to Measure 109
The campaign for Measure 109 was led by Tom and Sheri Eckert, two Oregon therapists who believed in psilocybin’s potential for healing. Backed by research from Johns Hopkins, NYU, and other leading universities, they set out to educate voters about how psilocybin could help with depression, anxiety, trauma, and end-of-life distress.
When the measure passed in 2020, it directed the Oregon Health Authority to spend two years creating a regulatory framework. This was not legalization in the recreational sense—it was the establishment of a regulated service model, unlike anything else in the United States.
Building the Framework
After the vote, the Oregon Health Authority created advisory groups and opened the door for community participation. One of the most influential of these was the Oregon Psilocybin Services Section (OPS) and its advisory partners, where scientists, public health experts, Indigenous voices, veterans, and community members all contributed.
The Oregon Psilocybin Services Collaborative Community (OPSCC) also played a critical role, bringing together people from across the state to propose best practices, raise concerns, and ensure the system was safe, accessible, and client-centered.
These groups debated everything from facilitator training and client screening, to safe dosages, service center design, and integration support. The result was a model that balances safety with access and innovation.
A New Model for Healing
Oregon’s program officially launched in January 2023. Unlike medical or recreational systems, this model is unique:
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Not medicalized – You don’t need a diagnosis or a doctor’s referral.
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Not recreational – Psilocybin can’t be bought at dispensaries or taken home.
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Service-based – Adults 21 and older can legally consume psilocybin only inside licensed service centers, supported by licensed facilitators.
This model put Oregon on the map as the first state to take psilocybin out of research labs and into carefully designed, real-world practice.
Why This History Matters
For clients today, the story of Measure 109 shows just how much care went into building this system. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t casual. It was the result of years of organizing, collaboration, and community trust.
At Vital Reset, we are proud to be part of this first wave of licensed service centers. Our work is only possible because of the foundation laid by those who fought to bring psilocybin into the light—legally, safely, and with compassion.
Closing
Oregon’s psilocybin program is still new, but it is rooted in a long history of community effort and courageous vision. Measure 109 wasn’t just a law—it was a turning point. It opened the door to healing for thousands of people who had run out of options.
Call 541-645-4485 or request a free consultation to learn how this history is now becoming a living reality at Vital Reset.
