Legislation to facilitate and fund psychedelics research has gained a new sponsor in the US House of Representatives.
(Photo credit: Getty Images).
The Douglas “Mike” Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act of 2023 (H.R. 3684) was filed in May by Congressmember Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) along with 11 bipartisan cosponsors. Since then, the measure has gained five new sponsors, with Rep Yakym the first new sponsor for the bill in almost six months.
This legislation “requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to award grants to eligible entities to research the treatment of certain members of the Armed Forces through the use of specified psychedelic substances (e.g., MDMA).”
Specifically, “the research must focus on members of the Armed Forces who are serving on active duty and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, a traumatic brain injury, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.”
The measure states that “Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall award grants to eligible entities to conduct research on the treatment of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty with a covered condition using covered psychedelic substances. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate a lead administrator to carry out the grant program under this section.”
The Secretary may award a grant under this section to any of the following:
- A department or agency of the Federal Government or a State government.
- An academic institution.
- A nonprofit entity.
Currently no other piece of psychedelics-related legislation in the US House or Senate has more sponsors than H.R. 3684.
You can find the full text of this legislation by clicking here.
