Public opinion regarding the legal and regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics, alongside support for expanded medical research, has shown a notable increase over the past two years. A new national survey conducted by the University of California, Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) indicates that voters are increasingly receptive to these alternative treatment options, particularly within controlled medical and therapeutic frameworks.
The survey, the second of its kind from BCSP, analysed data from 2025 and compared it to findings from 2023, revealing a “striking increase” in approval for specific policy approaches concerning therapeutic psychedelics. According to the center’s memo on the poll, reported by Marijuana Moment, the results suggest that “regulated use with clear guardrails related to safety is gaining traction, while support for unregulated access is not.”
Evolving Public Opinion on Therapeutic Psychedelics
Increased Support for Regulated Access and Research
The BCSP survey highlighted a significant shift in voter attitudes towards therapeutic psychedelics. Support for making psychedelics available as a prescription medicine rose by 12 percentage points, from 29 percent in 2023 to 41 percent in 2025. Similarly, backing for legal, therapeutic use of psychedelics saw a 10-percentage-point increase, growing from 36 percent to 46 percent over the same period.
Perhaps the most substantial increase was in support for facilitating scientific research into psychedelics. In 2023, just under half (49 percent) of voters supported making it easier for scientists to study these substances. By 2025, this figure had leaped to 63 percent, indicating a strong public desire for more evidence-based understanding.
Nuanced Views on Decriminalisation
While support for regulated medical access and research grew, the survey noted a “nonsignificant” 1 percentage point decrease in support for decriminalisation of personal use and possession of psychedelics. Only 28 percent of voters in the latest poll backed this policy, a contrast to the often majority support seen for marijuana decriminalisation in previous years. Researchers suggested this might reflect voter concerns about safety and efficacy, leading to a preference for controlled environments for psychedelic use.
Specific Applications and Perceptions
Support for Vulnerable Populations
The survey also explored public opinion on the therapeutic use of psychedelics for specific populations. Majorities of voters expressed support for regulated access for:
- Military veterans (56 percent)
- Individuals with depression (60 percent)
- Those experiencing addiction (54 percent)
- People in end-of-life care (48 percent)
For decriminalisation, support was highest for individuals in end-of-life care (38 percent), while it was considerably lower for other groups, such as veterans (22 percent) and those with depression (17 percent).
Safety Perceptions and Lingering Concerns
Regarding perceived safety, 37 percent of respondents considered it “pretty” or “extremely” safe to use psychedelics in a supervised setting. However, a significant portion of voters still held concerns, with 35 to 38 percent believing psychedelics are “addictive” or “can cause new mental health challenges.” Additionally, about a quarter of respondents described psychedelic users as “irresponsible” (24 percent) or “addicts” (24 percent), highlighting persistent stigma. The survey authors concluded that effective public education and messaging strategies are needed to build trust and address knowledge gaps.
Policy Landscape and Future Directions
The survey findings emerge amidst increasing policy discussions in the United States. As previously reported by Hemp Gazette, bipartisan congressional lawmakers have advocated for expedited access to psychedelic therapies for veterans‘ mental health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have also announced steps to accelerate therapeutic access to psychedelics for patients with serious mental health conditions.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated the administration’s commitment to creating pathways for access, particularly for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, within “very controlled settings.” Efforts include proposed funding for psychedelic-focused “centers for excellence” at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and Senate committee hearings on legislation to promote research into the therapeutic potential of these substances. These developments underscore a growing momentum in exploring the medical utility of psychedelics, guided by caution and a focus on regulated, evidence-based integration into healthcare.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
