Marianne Williamson is a 2020 Democratic Presidential candidate. She says that the federal government needs to “fully legalize certain psychedelics, like psilocybin, for therapeutic use, and cover costs for patients as part of a universal healthcare program.
Williamson outlined 10 proposals in a new mental health plan that she believes will help reduce the “record-high levels of suicide, anxiety, depression and toxic stress” in this country. This includes psychedelic assisted therapy being covered by insurance.
“For some of the most widespread mental health challenges we face–such as depression, addiction, anxiety, and PTSD–psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy using psilocybin and MDMA has shown incredible promise to completely revolutionize mental healthcare,” she said. Some of these therapies have been cleared by the FDA, while others are already legal in some states such as Oregon.
Recent results of Phase 3 clinical trials on MDMA support the drug’s potential therapeutic treatment for PTSD. There are increasing expectations that the drug could be approved by the federal government as soon as next year.
A recent study also found that use of psilocybin is associated with “persisting decreases” in depression and anxiety, as well as an increase in emotional regulation, spiritual wellness, and extraversion.
Williamson, who had previously expressed her interest in exploring psychoedelics therapy prior to entering the presidential race of 2024, has also highlighted that ketamine can be used for conditions such as depression.
The Democratic candidate stated that “we must fully legalize psychedelic-assisted therapy which has shown to be successful in research and we must provide substantial state funding for other promising psychedelic treatments, such as Ibogaine for addiction.”
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Marianne Williamson 10 October 2023 HTML0
She added that “in states where psychedelic assisted psychotherapy is legalized, the cost of it remains so high that many people cannot afford it.” We cannot let cost be a barrier to accessing any type of healthcare, whether mental or physical or psychedelic. So we must include psychedelic assisted psychotherapy in a universal health care system.
Last year, Dr. Bronner’s soap made headlines when offered psychedelic therapy with ketamine through its employee health plans. Recently, the nonprofit healthcare organization that covered the treatment announced it would expand the offering to all patients.
Psilocybin Therapy Services in Oregon that are currently being offered under a ballot initiative approved by voters can be prohibitively costly. Advocates are concerned that current legalization models in Oregon and Colorado will not achieve the health care equity goals unless they provide some form of financial relief to patients.
Williamson stated that by focusing on prevention measures in health care, such as robust mental health support we can shift the healthcare system away from treating symptoms and towards addressing the causes of disease. These innovative approaches can improve not only the health and wellbeing of individuals, but also reduce healthcare expenses and enhance the quality of life of all citizens.
Williamson isn’t the only presidential candidate in 2024 to show interest in reforming psychedelics policies.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who entered the race initially as a Democrat, but switched to running independently, said he would legalize marijuana and psychedelics if he were elected to the White House. He’d also tax both substances using the revenue to create “healing centres” where drug addicts recovering could learn organic gardening as a therapy tool.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for the Senate, has also endorsed allowing veterans suffering from conditions such as PTSD to access certain psychedelics.
According to his brother, the incumbent president Joe Biden is very open-minded about using psychedelic drugs for addiction treatment. The president hasn’t publicly addressed the issue.
New Jersey residents say the right to use marijuana at home outweighs the right not to smell neighbor’s use, according a poll
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