Justin Townsend, CEO of MycoMeditations, a world leader in legal psilocybin-assisted therapy retreats, has been included in the Jamaican Psilocybin Industry Working Group (JPIWG).

JPIWG was recently established by Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce (MIIC) Senator Aubyn Hill 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.

It will be operated under the auspices of the Bureau of Standards of Jamaica (BSJ) and chaired by Government Senator and Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Saphire Longmore.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that can be found in certain strains of fungi, more commonly referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’.

Longmore, in 2020, tabled a private members motion in the Senate calling for the standardisation of the country’s psilocybin industry. Commenting on his inclusion on the working group, Townsend remarked: “I’m deeply honoured on behalf of the MycoMeditations team to be asked to participate in this official working group,” noting that “psilocybin is a fact of life in Jamaica”.

“The formation of this group is a recognition that both retreats and commercial products have become more widely available in recent years and that for this growth to have a positive outcome, industry, healthcare professionals, and government will have to coordinate their efforts going forward,” he added.

Clear consideration will be given to public education and the proper growing, processing and use of the product. The work of the JPIWG will last for a period of up to six months, by which time a full report will be submitted to the MIIC for consideration.

Official recommendations will be made to the Cabinet of Jamaica after this period.

MycoMeditations says it looks forward to helping to set a new standard for openness and cooperation among industry and health and government officials.