Florida Legislature May Need Psychedelics Advocate

Home | Psychedelics Law Blog | Florida Legislature May Need Psychedelics Advocate Florida Rep. Michael Grieco's decision not to seek a new legislative term could negatively impact efforts to advance the legal use of psychedelics in the Sunshine State. The representative has been the most vocal advocate for psychedelics reform in the Florida Legislature. In 2021, Grieco filed a bill (HB 549) that would have legalized the use of psilocybin for mental treatment. HB 549 ultimately died in committee. Last year, Grieco sponsored the House version of a bill (HB 193) that would have required the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Board of Medicine to study the therapeutic efficacy of MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, and migraines. HB 193 and its Senate companion (SB 348) also died in committee. Grieco had previously announced his intention to run for the Florida Senate. On June 1, 2022, however, the representative announced he was dropping out of the race. He also confirmed that we would not seek a further term in the House. The question now is who, if anyone, will take up Grieco's mantle as lead proponent of psychedelics legalization in Florida. One potential candidate is Sen. Lauren Book, who sponsored SB 348 last year. Book, however, is facing an intense primary challenge, in a district to which she only recently moved. Florida Rep. Nicholas Duran, who co-sponsored HB 549, would be another logical stand-in; however, he is not seeking reelection. Should Sen. Book's reelection bid fail, the Florida Legislature will be left without a declared supporter of psychedelics reform. That is, of course, unless a new champion for the cause emerges. The instinct for some might be to expect such a figure to emerge, if it does, from the Democratic ranks. After all, Book, Duran, and Grieco are all Democrats. However, the national politics around psychedelics are not shaping up along the partisan divide. In Texas, legislation that inspired HB 193 and SB 348 passed with bipartisan support. It should therefore not come as a great surprise if Florida's next leading voices for psychedelics reform come from the Republican side of the aisle. Check Out Our Psychedelics Law Services Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn E-mail Comment Fred Rocafort Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog. Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America. In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions. Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s. Harris Sliwoski Attorney Read more posts [email protected] Read More States Related Posts April 21, 2026 Trump's Executive Order on Psychedelics March 19, 2026 Operating a Psychedelic or Cannabis Retreat Abroad? Legal Liability Risks for U.S. Operators May 20, 2025 DEA Gives Church Green Light on Ayahuasca April 2, 2025 Conducting Psychedelic Retreats Abroad: Protecting Yourself and Participants March 17, 2025 "Sincere Religious Belief" is an Evolving Standard for Psychedelic Churches February 17, 2025 Psychedelics and Trademark: INTA 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego! 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