A new report for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LaborH) says that psychedelic substances have potential therapeutic properties many individuals with mental health conditions could benefit from. Several conditions, like PTSD and depression, lead to an increase of suicides related to opioid and prescription drug use. 

“There have been many recent studies and clinical trials demonstrating the positive impact of alternative therapies, including psychedelics, for treatment resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, particularly for veteran participants,” the report says. “In light of growing interest in this area, the Committee encourages [the National Institutes on Health (NIH)] and other relevant Federal agencies to undertake, and where appropriate expand, research to evaluate the effectiveness of psychedelic therapies in treating PTSD, major depressive disorder, and other serious mental health conditions.”

Congress

It seems Congress has always been a bit behind when it comes to reform measures. Cannabis is still a Schedule I substance despite several states legalizing medical and recreational cannabis use. But things are changing. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is looking to submit a federal legalization bill for cannabis later this year. Additionally, Congress is looking to protect housing measures for those who use cannabis medically and recreationally when it’s legal in the state a person lives in. 

Representative Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has constantly been pushing for further reform for psychedelics for health benefits. In 2019, she tried to remove the ban on research into Schedule I substances, including psychedelics. However, Democrats and Repuiblican lawmakers joined together to remove the amendment. Now, Representative Ocasio-Cortez filed the amendment again, hoping for more support this time. 

“It is ridiculous that Congress upholds War on Drugs-era barriers on federal research into substances like psilocybin, ibogaine,& MDMA when early results are indicating major promise in treating PTSD, addiction,& more,” the lawmaker posted on Twitter. “Last time I intro’d this, both parties voted against it & some laughed. But I am undeterred! I’ll keep bringing it up until the times catch up.”

Support

Some groups have been “educating Members on the Hill about psychedelics and their therapeutic potential”. One group is the Plant Medicine Coalition (PMC), co-founded by Melissa Lavansani. She spoke with Marijuana Moment about how PMC is “encouraged” by this report and the potential inclusion of research into psychedelics. 

“Though we are disappointed that the Committee did not specifically fund psychedelic research, we are not discouraged. We consider this a critical first step in advancing and broadening the research potential of these medicines,” she said. “This committee report language signals to NIH and other federal agencies that there is Congressional support for expanding federal psychedelic research.

“Plant Medicine Coalition will continue to engage with Members of both the House and Senate, as well as the Biden Administration, to advance this dialogue and other policies that allow for safe and equitable access to psychedelics,” Lavasani concluded. 

NIH

Additionally, NIH director, Francis Collins, spoke before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the health potential of psychedelics and cannabis.  When asked about both substances, Director Collins replied: 

“There has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs, which for a while were sort of considered not an area that researchers legitimately ought to go after. And I think as we’ve learned more about how the brain works, we’ve begun to realize that these are potential tools for research purposes and might be clinically beneficial.”

The director followed up by criticizing the Congress’ stance on psychedelics, cannabis, and all other substances. According to Director Collins, researchers have “had all kinds of limitations” and there’s “limited opportunity for access.” 

He noted the House moved an amendment forward allowing researchers access to cannabis directly from public dispensaries. But he said what the government “really needs” to do is “moderate the Schedule I limitation.”

Reform

This LaborH report isn’t the only change in attitude towards psychedelics and their potential health benefits. In 2019, Denver, Colorado became the first city in the country to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin mushrooms. The California Senate also approved a bill to decriminalize the possession of all psychedelics. This bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Assembly. Change is happening around Congress while they wait to make the change themselves.

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