The inclusion of an amendment on psychedelic research in a defense bill, which must pass the House, is being celebrated by both parties. A Republican congressman claims that the speaker of the House has committed to fighting to expand the scope of this measure during talks with the Senate.
Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Lou Correa, D-CA held a press event shortly after the House Rules Committee approved the National Defense Authorization Act with the psychedelics provisions that had been attached by the House Armed Services Committee. However, the committee blocked the floor discussion of an amendment that would have broadened the provision. Dan Crenshaw, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Lou Correa held a joint press conference on the latest developments and next steps.
Crenshaw said that the amendment is still in need of work. It’s similar to a stand-alone bill Crenshaw submitted last month. He explained in a Rules Committee Meeting on Tuesday that staff had changed the funding language and replaced it with clinical study. This was a significant difference.
The Rules Committee refused to accept an amendment that would fix the problem. This, along with over a dozen amendments to reform drug policy, prevented them from receiving votes on the House Floor.
According to the current version of the NDAA the Defense Secretary would be required by law to conduct a clinical trial on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in active duty servicemen with PTSD, traumatic head injury, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
WATCH LIVE: Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and Crenshaw host press conference on psychedelics in NDAA https://t.co/2jyKQeFmni
Yahoo News (@YahooNews July 13 2023
The clinical studies must involve psilocybin or MDMA. Ibogaine, DMT, and ibogaine would also be acceptable. Within one year after the legislation was passed, the secretary would have to submit a report with the results of the trials.
Crenshaw stated that he has spoken with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA) about the issue. McCarthy, he said, has committed to working with him to restore the original language.
The Hill reported, that the congressman switched from a “no” vote to a yes after receiving assurances from the leadership that they would work to restore the language he had proposed in conference.
He said, “We can either fix it in the conference, or there are a few other ways to do so.” We’ll see. Maybe it’s just a separate bill.
Ocasio-Cortez stated at the briefing on Thursday that the members were “very excited to celebrate today the tremendous amount of progress being made by the research of psychedelics and its applications for veterans, as well many other survivors throughout the United States.”
Since 2019, we have fought to pass legislation allowing research on psychedelics as a treatment for PTSD. We finally achieved this thanks to the advocacy by veterans and others.
This bill will pass the House in just four years. We are now ready to take on the Senate. pic.twitter.com/p31fSCHff9
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (@RepAOC). 14 July 2023
She spoke of her previous attempt in 2019 to remove the barriers to research on psychedelics, and other Schedule I drugs through an amendment to Appropriations Legislation. A majority of Democrats sided with Republicans to defeating the proposal. The coalition has grown significantly in four years as the interest in substances such as psilocybin or MDMA for therapeutic purposes has increased.
The congresswoman stated, “While we’re here to celebrate the legislative progress we have made, I want to acknowledge that it is not over yet.” We expect that this psychedelic law will pass the House but also face resistance in the Senate. If you’re at home and care about this bill, I encourage you to call your senator.
Crenshaw noted the rarity that lawmakers from opposite political parties could come together around a policy such as psychedelics. He attributed this to the “realization that these therapies work.”
He said, “There are already a few solid studies on MDMA that have shown incredible results – a massive reduction in PTSD.” “We must continue to replicate these studies.” Other drugs show tremendous promise.
He said, “I can’t seem to find a single member of Congress who is against this.” “Most of the obstacles we’ve faced have been procedural, at staff level. But I can’t seem to find a single member of Congress that is against it.” It’s amazing. This is why I believe it will be successful. It should be successful.”
Correa, the co-founder of and the first ever congressional psychedelics Caucus said during the press conference, “We’re on our way to success.”
It’s un-American and shameful that our veterans have to leave the country to receive the care they require.
Psychedelics have been shown to be a viable solution for PTSD among veterans. It’s high time that our government caught up. pic.twitter.com/BscmuCJH3D
Rep. Lou Correa 13 July 2023
He said, “This is important – so critical important – not only for our vets but also for our society.” The stigma attached to these medical solutions, which work, is horrendous. “The cost that this drug war continues to exact on our society is inacceptable.”
Correa and Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI, also recently praised the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s new draft guidance for research on psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA.
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Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Ro Khanna (D-CA) joined Crenshaw to react to the FDA’s move . They credited it with making progress that was responsive to legislation.
The FDA’s draft guidelines provide scientists with a framework for conducting research that may lead to the creation of psychedelic drugs. The public has 60 days to comment on the final guidance.
Marijuana Moment questioned HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra about the department’s currently thinking around psychedelics policies last month. He said he had to “defer to” the expertise of NIDA, which is also under his agency. “I want to ensure that I touch base on what they’ve done on that.
NIDA requested research last month into the impacts of changing laws surrounding psychedelics. This included the effects of allowing controlled access to substances such as psilocybin.
NIDA announced separately in May that they are soliciting proposals to fund a series research initiatives to investigate how psychedelics can be used to treat addiction to drugs. They plan to spend $1.5 million to support the studies.
The post Bipartisan Legislators Celebrate Psychedelics and Say House Speaker Committed to Pushing the Issue first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
