The Indiana Senate passed by a large majority a Republican-led measure that would finance clinical research trials for psilocybin. The top Democratic Senator filed an amendment to add language to the legislation that would create a medical marijuana program in the State, but he didn’t force a vote.
The Senate passed the measure 47-1. This action comes after the proposal was unanimously passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week and Health and Provider Services Committee last month .
Before the vote, Sen. Ed Charbonneau said: “This bill gives hope to many people who are currently in a hopeless position.” “I hope that you will feel the same way and vote in favor of this bill.”
The minority leader of the Senate, Greg Taylor (D), also spoke in favor of the bill, calling it “a very, important piece of legislation.”
He said: “I would like to thank Sen. Charbonneau, for making the huge leap of faith in order to bring this to light.” This could be a huge relief for many Hoosiers in Indiana.
Taylor filed a 24-page bill amendment before the floor session. It would have included provisions to create a medical cannabis program in Indiana. Doctors could have given recommendations to patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis and PTSD to allow them to grow and possess up to twelve marijuana plants.
He did not mention his amendment in his remarks before the vote, and he did not bring it up during his short remarks prior to the vote. The psilocybin legislation now goes to the House of Representatives.
The psychedelics bill, if it becomes law would create a Therapeutic Psilocybin Research Fund “to provide financial assistance to Indiana research institutions to study…the usage of psilocybin for mental health and other conditions.” All research that receives funding under this measure must include veterans and first-responders in the study.
Researchers would have to apply for funding from the Department of Health of the state to study the substance to treat conditions. Six of these are listed in the bill: PTSD, “with an emphasis on treating the disorder among combat veterans and first-responders,” anxiety and depression, bipolar disorders, chronic pain, and migraines.
The studies will need to “compare psilocybin’s efficacy as a treatment option for mental health conditions and other medical conditions… with the efficacy other treatment options currently available.”
The Bill will become effective immediately after it is passed, since it was submitted as an emergency measure. By July 1, officials would have to create a system to administer the fund, and to process applications.
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. 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.
—
Richard Feldman, the former Indiana State Commissioner of Health who was present at the first committee hearing this year on the bill, said that using psychedelics for behavioral disorders may sound “a little crazy” when first considered. When I first heard of this .”, I thought it was a crazy idea.
He added, “But recent research has shown impressive results reported by mainstream publications and conducted by respected institutions.” Examples include the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Harvard, Hopkins and New York University are among the institutions that have published. “This is not fringe science.”
A study committee created by the state recently suggested that lawmakers authorise a psilocybin-assisted treatment pilot program for mental health research during this year’s session of legislature. They advised that “the Indiana General Assembly adopt an approach that strikes a balanced between access, research and prudence.”
The body stated that while psilocybin was classified as Schedule I controlled substances at the federal level, “the prevailing opinion is that psilocybin shouldn’t be a Schedule I drugs and has proven medical benefit.”
Charbonneau stated late last year that, in regards to psychedelics research, he had already been in contact with Purdue University and Indiana University Health.
He said, “I’ve had discussions with both IU Health as well as Purdue University.” “I spoke with 150 pharmacy students at Purdue and then had the chance to speak to the dean. He texted Dr. Jerome Adams who is now at Purdue University.”
Adams, the former U.S. Surgeon General under President Donald Trump from October 2021, joined Purdue. He has said very little about psychedelic therapy but he did claim that ” medical marijuana does not exist.”
Indiana legislators have considered marijuana legalization, but have not taken concrete steps towards the reform. The GOP-controlled legislature has yet to make any recommendations. In November, another interim study group listened to testimony about the potential of decriminalizing simple possession. However, the group made no specific recommendations.
Rep. Blake Johnson, (D), wrote in an op/ed published by Marijuana Moment that Indiana “falls far behind” as neighboring states legalize marijuana. “I urge my colleagues to pay attention to the statistics. He wrote that it was time for Indiana “to sow the seeds of cannabis and reap its economic benefits.”
One supportive lawmaker–Rep. Justin Moed, a Democrat from California, managed to force the House to vote on marijuana legalization last year. However Republicans rejected this proposal.
Alaska Senate panel hears proposal to create Therapeutic Psychedelics Task Force
Image by Kristie Gianpulos.
The post Indiana Senate passes GOP-led Psilocybin research bill, with Democrats filing but not forcing vote on Medical Marijuana Amendment first appeared on Marijuana moment.
