Welcome to Reason Foundation’s newsletter on psychedelics policy. This edition covers:
- Reason’s policy recommendations for the new Trump administration
- The state roundup
- Government funding for addiction study
- Department of Veterans Affairs to fund MDMA research
How the Trump administration can advance psychedelic policy
Senior members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have promised bold reforms for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have been supportive of psychedelic therapy. Reason Foundation provided the incoming administration with a list of several reforms that could be accomplished through executive order, such as changes to the way clinical trials are administered for psychedelic substances seeking drug approval. Read more about them here.
Massachusetts ballot measure fails and other state reforms
A ballot measure to legalize psychedelics failed to pass in Massachusetts. Despite the setback, other states are still pushing forward, from a regulated market for psilocybin in New Jersey to potential scientific research funding in Missouri. Read more in the state round-up here.
Government funding for addiction research
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded Carey Turnbull’s nonprofit B.More and New York University psychedelics researcher Michael Bogenschutz a $15 million grant to study the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating Opioid Use Disorder. The funds will support a clinical trial that could lead toward FDA approval of psilocybin for this indication.
Veteran’s administration pursues psychedelics
Politico reports that the FDA’s recent rejection of MDMA psychedelic-assisted therapy has not deterred the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA plans to fund more studies on MDMA in the hopes that MDMA can be a safe and effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.