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Medical Mushrooms & CYFD Reforms Become State Law

This week on New Mexico in Focus, we break down a handful of new state laws. For years, reporters Ed Williams of Searchlight New Mexico and Taylor Velazquez of KUNM News have documented the shortcomings and failures of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. In their conversation with host Nash Jones, the pair discuss the new changes made at the department that aim to address its many issues surrounding child placement and housing. Later, Nash asks how the creation of the Office of the Child Advocate might better support children under CYFD care. 

New Mexico is now the third state to legalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms for medical treatment. The Medical Psilocybin Act went into effect last month, giving state officials a 2027 deadline to establish the use of mushrooms as a medical practice. Reporter Cailley Chella spoke with medical experts and advocates who explain how psychedelics can help patients with severe depression and PTSD. 

Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez and two program directors at the department, sit down with Nash to discuss how several new loan forgiveness programs are meant to help more New Mexicans pursue high-paying, high-skill jobs. Later, the three discuss new scholarship programs aimed at making higher education more affordable for graduate students and people who never finished high school. 

Host: Nash Jones

Segments:

Housing and Placement Concerns at CYFD 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guests: 
Ed Williams, Reporter, Searchlight New Mexico 
Taylor Velazquez, Reporter, KUNM News 

New Loan Forgiveness Programs for NM Veterinarians, College Employees 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guests: 
Stephanie Rodriguez, Secretary, New Mexico Higher Education Department 
Heather Romero, Director of Financial Aid, New Mexico Higher Education Department 
Amber Gallup, Director of Adult Education, New Mexico Higher Education Department 

New Medical Mushroom Program 
Correspondent: Cailley Chella 
Guests: 
Ben Feinberg, Professor of Anthropology at Warren Wilson College 
Joaquin Orozco, New Mexico Psychedelic Science Society Board member 
Dr. Larry Leeman, Psychedelic Assisted Therapies Researcher at UNM 
Jeff Holland, Licensed Clinical Social Worker 

New Scholarship Programs for Grad School and High School Equivalence Tests 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guests: 
Stephanie Rodriguez, Secretary, New Mexico Higher Education Department 
Heather Romero, Director of Financial Aid, New Mexico Higher Education Department 
Amber Gallup, Director of Adult Education, New Mexico Higher Education Department 
 
Office of the Child Advocate and CYFD Transparency 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guest: 
Ed Williams, Reporter, Searchlight New Mexico 
Taylor Velazquez, Reporter, KUNM News