(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – You can call them “magic” mushrooms. It’s certainly easier to say than “psilocybin.” 

An Illinois House health committee has been hearing arguments for and against using them to treat behavioral health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. And one of the bill‘s sponsors, State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet), has a personal story.

“When I say that this is very near and dear to our hearts, I am afraid to lose a family member to suicide, because he has attempted several times already,” she said, fighting back tears. “Our medical setting for mental health does not cut it for everybody in our state.”

But Dr. Christopher Holden, representing the Illinois Psychiatric Society, says it’s far too early to move toward legalization.

“There’s currently inadequate scientific evidence for endorsing the use of psychedelics to treat any psychiatric disorder, except within the context of approved investigational studies,” he said.

Another sponsor, State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), said lawmakers are following the lead of veterans and mental health advocates, adding the bill will be re-introduced in the new General Assembly, which convenes in January.