Michigan Legislature Urges Congress to Prioritize Psychedelics To Help Veterans Find A new Normal'

Michigan legislators are urging the U.S. Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs to invest in research and non-technological treatment options, including psychedelics, for treating psychological trauma caused by military service.

In a concurrent resolution, passed by the state Senate on Wednesday, it was stated that “controlled use psychedelics for clinical trials” along with outdoor therapy, buddy to buddy programs, and easier access to assistance animals “have shown promising results in helping veterans improve their mental well-being and find a normal life while dealing with invisible wounds from war and service.”

The resolution was passed by the House in June. Governors need not take any action.

The copies will be sent out to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the chairs and ranking member of federal veterans affairs committees and Michigan’s congressional members. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI, is one of them. He was one of the two founding members of Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies. The Caucus was relaunched this year.

The three-page Resolution states that Michigan is ranked 11th among all U.S. States and Territories in terms of veteran populations, with over 550,000 residents in the state by 2021. The resolution states, “However, between 2016 and 2020 it was reported there were 882 Michigan Veterans who died by suicide.”

In a June press release following the passage of the bill by the House, Rep. Jennifer Conlin said that it was “so important” to provide veterans with the help they deserve.

She stated that she was grateful for all veterans and advocates who spoke out in support of better mental health resources. There are many ways to improve the mental health of veterans, from psychedelic therapy to outdoor therapy and access to service dogs.

Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and psychedelics bills, as well as drug policy legislation in state legislatures. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.

Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.

—

In March, Ferndale became the latest city to pass such a measure, joining Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Hazel Park. Ferndale, Michigan, became the fourth city in Michigan to pass a similar measure. It joins Detroit Ann Arbor, and Hazel Park.

Oregon and Colorado have both adopted laws that allow legal access to certain psychedelics and psilocybin.

Oregon regulators accepted the first state-licensed facilitators in the country to administer psilocybin at regulated facilities to adults, as well a testing lab for the psychedelic. In March, regulators approved the state’s first ever license for a manufacturer of psilocybin.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), meanwhile, signed a psychedelics regulation bill into law in May, setting rules for a psychedelics legalization law that voters passed last year. The regulations mainly focus on the use of these substances in licensed healing centres under the guidance and supervision of facilitators.

California is on course to become the third State to implement similar reforms. This week, state lawmakers approved a bill to legalize psychedelics. The governor must now act.

While individual states are pushing for psychedelics legislation, the federal government is making relatively slow progress when it comes to evaluating and approving these substances for therapeutic purposes.

House lawmakers approved a spending measure earlier this year that included amendments aimed at veterans who use marijuana or psychedelics. The first would allow VA doctors the ability to recommend medical cannabis to veterans, while the second would encourage the research of the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics.

Bergman stated at the time that Congress cannot afford to “play politics with Veterans’ Lives,”, and that reforms bring VA “closer” to funding psychedelic-assisted therapy studies.

Bergman stated at the time that “our Nation is suffering from a serious mental health crisis, and our Veterans and Servicemembers are at the forefront of the struggle.” This amendment will guide the federal government to provide better options for helping our Veterans overcome their battles and represents an historical leap in federally funded research on potential cures of PTSD.

Frank Biden (D), the brother of President Joe Biden (D), said that in June, the president was “very receptive” to the idea of using psychedelics for addiction treatment, but he refused to go into details about their conversation.

Three bipartisan House Members also sent a recent letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, expressing “deep concerns” over the recently updated VA marijuana Directive that continues to prevent its doctors from giving medical cannabis recommendations for veterans who live in states where it is legal.

The letter points out that before the VA released the directive earlier in the month, they had successfully championed an amendement to a House Appropriations Bill that would permit the department’s physicians to recommend medical marijuana for veterans. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a reform similar to as part of , its version of appropriations legislation .

The legislation to implement the policy change has also advanced through both chambers, but it hasn’t been passed into law. In 2016, both the House and Senate adopted different versions in their respective spending bills. However, neither nor was included in the final conference report after negotiations.

Meanwhile in Michigan, marijuana sales hit another record high in July, at nearly $277 million in total receipts. In the month prior, $261 million was spent on marijuana sales.

Nevertheless, a state audit conducted last month found that cannabis regulators were falling behind in disciplinary actions against marijuana businesses.