Veterans Push for Rescheduling Psychedelics to Increase Research and Access
Veterans’ groups are calling on Congress to reschedule psychedelics and expand access to medical marijuana. These treatments are seen as crucial alternatives for veterans dealing with mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), both of which are common among military service members.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chair of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, inquired about the role the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should play in “advancing the promising field in that area of [psychedelic] medicine through research,” directing the question to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Commander Daniel Contreras.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Veterans’ Call to Action | Veterans’ groups are pushing Congress to prioritize psychedelics and cannabis research as alternatives for PTSD and TBI treatments. |
| Major Barrier | Psychedelics and cannabis are classified as Schedule I drugs, which restricts research and access to these treatments. |
| DAV’s Position | The Disabled American Veterans group (DAV) calls for alternative therapies, citing personal success stories with psilocybin as treatment. |
| American Legion’s Advocacy | The American Legion emphasizes the need for legislative support to accelerate research on psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA for mental health care. |
| The Need for Action | Both groups stress the urgency for Congress to fast-track studies and FDA approval of these substances for veterans’ care. |
Veterans’ Groups Urge Congress to Act
Veterans’ organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion, have strongly advocated for the accelerated study of psychedelics as a treatment for mental health conditions. These groups are also calling on Congress to remove legal barriers, which prevent veterans from accessing these potentially life-saving therapies. Both organizations argue that, given the high rates of PTSD and TBI among military personnel, these treatments could significantly improve care for veterans who have long struggled with traditional therapies.
Read more on this story at Marijuana Moment.
Legal and Regulatory Barriers
One of the biggest obstacles facing research and access to psychedelic treatments is the legal classification of these substances. Both psychedelics and cannabis are classified as Schedule I drugs, which means they are considered to have no accepted medical use. This designation severely restricts research opportunities and makes it difficult for veterans to access these treatments. Despite increasing evidence suggesting the efficacy of substances like psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy) in treating trauma, the legal barriers persist.
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DAV Advocates for Alternative Therapies
Daniel Contreras, National Commander of DAV, has been a strong proponent of alternative treatments like psilocybin. Contreras, who has seen the benefits of psilocybin firsthand through his wife’s treatment, argues that current options often fall short of addressing veterans’ needs. He has called for the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) to expedite the approval process for these therapies, saying they could offer new hope for veterans struggling with mental health challenges. Contreras insists that these treatments need to be seriously considered as part of the VA’s approach to mental health care.
The American Legion’s Call for Action
The American Legion has voiced similar concerns. James LaCoursiere, a representative of the Legion, pointed out that while the VA has already begun research into MDMA and psilocybin, the Schedule I status of these substances remains an obstacle. LaCoursiere noted that these outdated legal restrictions continue to limit the potential for veterans to benefit from these promising therapies. The Legion believes that legislative changes are needed to ensure that these substances can be fully studied. And, if proven effective, integrated into veterans’ care options.
The Need for Legislative Action
Both DAV and the American Legion are urging Congress to take immediate action. They stress the importance of removing legal barriers to ensure that veterans can access the care they need. By prioritizing these treatments, Congress could provide veterans with new, effective options to address their mental health challenges. With these changes, veterans would have a real opportunity to experience recovery and healing.
