Top federal health officials are calling for more research on the effects of changing laws surrounding psychedelics across the nation, and the potential impact of allowing controlled access to substances such as psilocybin.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse published a “notice special interest” on the rapid growth of the psychedelic movement on Tuesday. It described the “variety” of approaches that different jurisdictions had taken, including “legalization, decriminalization and reduced penalties.”
It was noted that Oregon voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 which legalized the services of psilocybin. Colorado then moved to legalize an expanded range of psychedelics as well as create “healing centres” where these substances can be administered.
NIDA wants to fund research on the impact of these policy changes at the state level, along with the growing number local decriminalization initiatives that are being implemented in cities all over the U.S.
These are some examples that illustrate the type of research areas the agency is interested in:
- The relationship between the decriminalization and legalization of dissociative and psychedelic drugs, and their use by different populations.
- The relationship between the use and harms of dissociative and psychedelic drugs, and the public health outcomes.
- Impact of different regulatory frameworks, such as taxation, labels, retail sales pricing, marketing etc. The impact of different regulatory frameworks (e.g. taxation, labeling, retail sales, pricing, marketing, etc.) on health and incarceration outcomes.
- The impact of the placement of retail centers and centres for the use of psychedelics and dissociatives drugs on the local communities.
- There are similarities and differences in the abuse potential of psychedelics and dissociative drugs compared with other products like alcohol, tobacco and cannabis.
- The diversion or prevention of misuse of psychedelics or dissociatives drugs by those who are not in the centers.
- The long-term effects of supervised psychedelic and dissociative drug usage within centers on the misuse of other substances. ).
- Perceptions of the harm caused by psychedelics or dissociatives drugs after policy implementation and enactment.
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Impacts of Psychedelic and Dissociative Drug Policy Changes on Public Health Outcomes https://t.co/beuvyst3wf
NIH funding (@NIHFunding June 13, 2020
NIDA announced separately in May that they are soliciting proposals for a number of research initiatives to explore the potential use of psychedelics to treat drug abuse. They plan to fund these studies with $1.5 million.
In May, NIDA director Nora Volkow said that new evidence is emerging that psychedelics have “significant potential” to treat certain mental conditions. This topic is of “great interest for researchers .
Last year, Sens. Brian Schatz, D-HI and Cory Booker, D-NJ, urged top federal officials to give an update on studies into the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics. They argued that federal prohibition had stymied research.
NIDA’s response to the question was that the federal prohibition made it harder to study the benefits of psychedelics and required researchers to jump through extra regulatory hoops. Volkow said previously that she personally does not like to study Schedule I substances due to the complications.
In 2021, the director told Marijuana Moment that researchers should prioritize psychedelics research because more people will use the substances as studies show their therapeutic potential.
Last month, bipartisan members of Congress also presented a bill to create a federal grant program worth $75 million that would support research on the therapeutic potential for psychedelics in certain conditions among active military servicemen.
At a news briefing outside the U.S. Capitol, on Wednesday, several GOP legislators and military veterans discussed this legislation. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a veteran of the military, said that psychedelic treatment with 5-MeO DMT and ibogaine “changed my whole life,” and that it was “one the best things that happened to me.”
In March, bipartisan members of Congress filed an updated version to streamline federal rescheduling for “breakthrough therapies” such as psilocybin or MDMA to promote drug research and development.
Booker, Sen. Rand Paul, (R. KY) and Rep. Nancy Mace, (R. SC) led another bill last year, which was designed to clarify federal “Right to Try”, (RTT), laws that give seriously ill people access to Schedule I medications, such as marijuana and psychedelics, like psilocybin, and MDMA. The bill was not passed by the end the session.
The bipartisan psychedelics legislation introduced this session coincided roughly with a relaunch of a congressional group dedicated to promoting research on the therapeutic potentials of entheogenic drugs.
Senate panel votes to allow people who have used marijuana to work at intelligence agencies like CIA and NSA
Image by Kristie Gianpulos.
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