The bipartisan and bicameral Congress has reached an agreement over a massive defense bill. This bill contains a section led by the House GOP to fund research into the therapeutic uses of psychedelics like psilocybin or MDMA among military personnel.
After negotiations, lawmakers released on Wednesday the conference report of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The document maintained psychedelics-research provisions that Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-TX, had attached to the House’s version during the summer. The report does note, however, the House negotiators have retreated on a separate part to create a pilot medical cannabis program for veterans.
The psychedelic provisions adopted by the Department of Defense would require it to set up a procedure for service members suffering from post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries to participate in clinical studies involving psilocybin MDMA, ibogaine, and 5-MeO DMT. The list of psychedelics covered was also expanded in order to include “qualified alternative therapies.”
DOD must facilitate this process within 180 calendar days after the law’s enactment. The $10 million funding could be used to partner with federal or state agencies as well as with academic institutions in order to conduct clinical trials.
“I’m thrilled to see that my amendment, which funds clinical research to develop new therapies for combat-related injuries, is included in the NDAA,” Luttrell said to Marijuana Moment. Luttrell was a former Marine who revealed details about his own experience of receiving 5-MeO DMT and ibogaine treatment abroad.
He said: “This is an enormous win, which will allow us to save the life of those who have bravely served this country while we move away from problematic opioids.” “I am confident that support for these innovative solution will continue to grow.”
According to the legislation the defense secretary must provide legislators with a detailed report on the trial results and participants within one year after the enactment of the law, and then every year thereafter for three years.
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The medical cannabis pilot program that was added to House NDAA as part of an amendment by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC, was not included in the final conference agreement.
DOD was required to study the effects of marijuana on veterans and servicemen who are beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA participant had to have a diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety or depression, or be prescribed pain medication in order to be eligible for this program.
Before the floor was considered, the Armed Services Committee attached the psychedelics provisions and medical cannabis. Then, members submitted dozens of drug policy reforms amendments to help the chamber pass its version of NDAA. The House Rules Committee however, prevented the majority of proposals from being considered .
In the meantime, the Senate had added language to its NDAA legislation that would have prohibited intelligence agencies such as CIA and NSA to deny security clearances solely based on applicants’ past marijuana use. This was part of a separate bill that had been amended by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR, to include the cannabis protection.
The conference report mentions that the Intelligence Authorization Act was included in NDAA. However, it is silent about the cannabis provision.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee, however, passed in September a bipartisan standalone bill that would prohibit the denial or refusal of federal employment and security clearances because a candidate has used marijuana.
Other cannabis Amendments to the Senate NDAA such as that proposed by Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI, to allow veterans to use medical marijuana, were not approved.
Separately, The House approved psychedelics reforms by Luttrell (R-TX), and Rep. Dan Crenshaw(R-TX), that are similar in nature to the NDAA as part of the fiscal year 2024 funding legislation for DOD. It is yet to be determined if these provisions, which are largely identical, will be included in the final spending legislation.
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Photo by Dick Culbert.
The article House and Senate Reach Agreement To Require Active Duty Military Service Member Clinical Trials Under Defense Bill first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
