Biden Enacts Defense Bill Mandating Studies on Psychedelics for Military Personnel

Last week, President Joe Biden signed a defense bill containing provisions to finance trials into the therapeutic potential for psychedelics for military services members in active duty. This came a week after Congress gave its final approval and forwarded the bill to the president’s desk.

The bill requires the defense department to create a process by which military service members with traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder could take part in clinical trials involving MDMA, psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT and ibogaine. This list also includes eligible plant-based alternative treatments.

The U.S. Department of Defense has been given 180 days within which it is required to facilitate this process following the bill’s enactment. The department, which will receive $10 million in funding, is allowed to partner with academic institutions as well as eligible state or federal government agencies to conduct the clinical trials.

The secretary of defense will also need to present a report to legislators within a year of the bill’s enactment, in addition to preparing reports for the next three years. Reports shall include information about participation in the trial as well as the trial findings.

The psychedelics research provisions included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act were championed by Representative Morgan Luttrell. Representative Dan Crenshaw, who worked with Luttrell and other legislators to campaign for the research provisions in Congress, stated last week that getting the provision enacted through the defense bill was a huge deal. In a post on X, he noted that thousands of service members and veterans knew there might be light at the end of the tunnel for them.

For his part, the president didn’t discuss the issue during negotiations and neither did he specifically give his opinion on the psychedelics provisions when he signed the bill. However, Biden’s younger brother did state earlier in the year that the president had, in private, expressed his openness to psychedelics.

The bill’s signing comes about a year after the president gave his approval to a standalone cannabis research measure.

In other news, the medical marijuana pilot program that was attached to the House defense bill wasn’t included in the conference agreement. The resolution would have required the department of defense to look at the health impacts of cannabis use by service members and veterans who are VA beneficiaries.

In order to qualify for the program, participants would need to be prescribed pain management or be diagnosed with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. This program could result in studies that complement those that are being undertaken by various entities such as Compass Pathways PLC (NASDAQ: CMPS) on mental-health disorders affecting not only military personnel but also other members of society.

About PsychedelicNewsWire

PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on all aspects of psychedelics and the latest developments and advances in the psychedelics sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, PNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, PNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. PNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from PsychedelicNewsWire, text “Groovy” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

PsychedelicNewsWire
San Francisco, CA
www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@PsychedelicNewsWire.com

PsychedelicNewsWire is powered by IBN

Archives

Select A Month

PsychedelicNewsWire Currently Accepts

Bitcoin

Bitcoin

Bitcoin Cash

Bitcoin Cash

Doge Coin

Dogecoin

Ethereum

Ethereum

Litecoin

Litecoin

USD Coin

USD Coin

Contact us: 415.949.5050