Industry Ministry establishes ‘magic mushroom’ standardisation working group

Senator Aubyn Hill and officials in the Ministry of Industry and Investment have been observing the early development of the psilocybin mushroom business in Jamaica.

As this new industry develops with good signs of growth, it has become necessary to study and agree the broad parameters and guidelines necessary for the standardisation of this growing psilocybin industry.

Through the Bureau of Standards of Jamaica (BSJ), the Ministry of Industry has established the Jamaica Psilocybin Industry Working Group (JPWG), chaired by consultant psychiatrist Senator Dr. Saphire Longmore.

In 2020, Longmore moved a Private Member’s Motion in the Senate, calling for the standardisation of the psilocybin industry, a substance she uses in her professional work.

Other members of the Working Group include Jordan James of Looking Glass Ltd, Justin Townsend of MycoMeditations, Jason Williams of Cosmic Mushrooms, Professor Jean-Pierre Louboutin, neuroanatomist at Basic Medical Science, UWI; Professor Rupika Delgado of the Natural Products Institute, UWI; Dr. Velton Gooden of the BSJ.

Other current industry practitioners and builders will likely contribute to the deliberations.

This new Jamaican psilocybin industry revolves around the use of the psilocybin product derived from “magic mushrooms” that grow freely in Jamaica.

Historically, the use of “magic mushrooms” has been part of Jamaican society for decades.

In recent times, visitors have joined Jamaicans in increased usage of the product. Psilocybin-assisted therapy and retailed products containing micro-doses are freely accessed by local residents and tourists alike. There is growing scientific evidence of the benefit of psilocybin for the health of individuals in various applications, and there has been a transformation of the industry globally as this health benefit is being more formally recognised.

Various jurisdictions are taking steps to have psilocybin and or its derivatives available to local populations. Individual mushrooms may have varying concentrations of active ingredients in comparison to others and, consequently, the effects of the magic mushroom depend on the dose and type of mushroom.

The Jamaica Psilocybin Industry Working Group is being established to study and understand the production and distribution arrangements, recommend suitable methods to facilitate, enable and encourage the standardisation of practices and the growth of the psilocybin industry in the country. Clear consideration must be given to public education and the proper growing, processing and use of the product.

The work of the JPWG will extend for a period of up to six months by which time a full report will be submitted for consideration by the ministry.

Recommendations to Cabinet may follow that review.

Source: Our Today