West Virginia and Mississippi Advance Ibogaine Research Bills

CHARLESTON–JACKSON – Lawmakers in West Virginia and Mississippi have advanced legislation to support research into ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from the iboga plant, with the goal of pursuing FDA approval for its use in treating opioid use disorder and related conditions.

In West Virginia House Bill 4626 established a grant program to fund public-private partnerships for FDA drug development trials of ibogaine. The measure passed the House of Delegates unanimously (96-0) on February 1, 2026, and has moved to the Senate for further consideration. The bill directs the Secretary of Health to administer grants aimed at securing investigational new drug status and breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA. Additionally, the grants will fund trials focused on opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use issues, and other mental health or neurological conditions where ibogaine shows potential efficacy. It also requires applicants to outline plans for establishing a corporate presence in the state to support related biomedical activities.

In Mississippi, legislation [initially HB 314, later aligned with Senate Bill 2561] authorizes the state Department of Health to select a consortium for ibogaine clinical trials passed the House of Representatives in a 111-1 vote (with 10 abstentions) around late January 2026. The bill would facilitate trials to gain FDA approval for ibogaine as a treatment for opioid use disorder, co-occurring disorders, and other qualifying mental health conditions. It draws from opioid settlement funds, with expectations of around $5 million in initial allocation, and includes provisions for the state to share in any future profits from intellectual property. The measure has advanced from committee and House approval but awaits Senate action.

These bills reflect a pattern seen in other states like Texas, which allocated significant funding for ibogaine research last year. Both measures emphasize rigorous, FDA-aligned processes rather than broad legalization or decriminalization. Ibogaine remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, limiting domestic research to date and often driving interested patients abroad for treatment.

The bipartisan support in these conservative-leaning states [near-unanimous votes in both House chambers] suggests pragmatic interest in addressing opioid crises through innovative therapies, provided they meet federal safety and efficacy standards. Outcomes will depend on Senate progress, funding appropriations, and the ability to attract qualified research partners. As state-level efforts accumulate, they could contribute data toward eventual federal decisions on ibogaine’s therapeutic status.

Highly Capitalized Network-HCN will monitor these bills as they advance through their respective legislatures.

Image: West Virginia and Mississippi States’ emblems courtesy of Anderson Design Group