Wisconsin Legislators Advocate for Veterans’ Access to Psilocybin Therapy Amid National Psychedelic Research Surge

LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking move, Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing for enhanced access to psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This bipartisan bill represents a significant stride in psychedelic research and veterans’ mental health care, reflecting a national trend toward exploring alternative treatments.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by members from both the Republican and Democratic parties, aims to establish a pilot program specifically designed to evaluate the effects of medicinal psilocybin treatment on patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. The bill mandates the creation of a “medicinal psilocybin treatment fund,” a separate nonlapsible trust fund to financially support this initiative.

Under the bill’s provisions, the pilot program would be set up by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This program would be a collaborative effort involving the university’s Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances and its School of Pharmacy.

Eligibility for participation in this program is limited to veterans aged 21 and over, diagnosed with treatment-resistant PTSD. Notably, the program excludes law enforcement officers from participation. Additionally, the therapy offered must align with pathways approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, and any research conducted may incorporate other FDA-approved medications.

The bill also emphasizes confidentiality and privacy, requiring that any health information disclosed during the program does not contain personally identifiable information. Researchers are expected to report their findings and the progress of the pilot program to the governor and relevant legislative committees.

This legislative effort comes at a time when the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is increasingly recognized in the scientific community. Many U.S. veterans, unable to access such treatments domestically due to federal restrictions, have turned to countries like Mexico for psychedelic therapies.

Wisconsin State Senator Jesse James, a Republican and Gulf War veteran who introduced the bill, and Democratic State Representative Clinton Anderson, the co-sponsor, both advocate for alternative treatments for veterans. Their stance is mirrored in a broader bipartisan support for psychedelic research in the U.S., as evidenced by similar proposals by federal lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Dan Crenshaw.

The initiative in Wisconsin is part of a growing trend among states to proactively explore the benefits of psychedelics for mental health treatments. For instance, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey recently proposed research into the therapeutic use of psychedelics for veterans. These state-level efforts highlight a collective move towards innovative approaches to addressing the mental health needs of veterans, challenging traditional treatment paradigms and advocating for comprehensive support for those who have served the nation.