Legislative Push to Codify Psychedelic Research Streamlining
Bipartisan U.S. congressional lawmakers are actively working to codify into law an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, which aimed to streamline research into psychedelic medicine. Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, have articulated the necessity of enacting these provisions into law. Their objective is to safeguard ongoing federal support for psychedelic research for military veterans and individuals with specific mental health conditions, ensuring continuity regardless of future presidential administrations, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
The initiative builds on previous discussions regarding the expansion of psychedelic therapies for veterans, as covered by Hemp Gazette. The executive order, signed last month, sought to accelerate research and increase federal funding for psychedelic drug therapies.
Congressional Actions and Rationale
During a recent interview with CBS News, Representative Correa addressed potential complexities arising from personnel changes within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which plays a significant role in drug research and development. Correa stated that he and Representative Bergman are “working jointly to make sure we put this into legislation—to move forward permanently, finding a solution for PTSD, every day in America.” He further suggested that these novel therapies could substantially alter mental health treatment approaches in the U.S. and potentially assist in addressing homelessness, according to a CBS News post on X (formerly Twitter) dated May 15, 2026.
Separately, Voice of OC reported that Representative Correa expressed his intent to “codify Trump’s executive order and create guidelines and funding for the initiative.” He also commented on the need to re-examine drug policy, stating that the “war on drugs, which was not based on science but politics,” has not been effective. Representative Bergman, speaking at The Hill’s Rethinking Psychedelic Treatment for America’s Mental Health Crisis event, underscored the transient nature of executive orders. He noted that an executive order’s effect is limited to the issuing president’s term, highlighting the urgency to legislate these provisions to prevent potential rescission by subsequent administrations.
- Representatives Correa and Bergman have consistently advocated for continued support for psychedelic reform since the executive order was signed.
- They sponsored an amendment to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding bill aimed at raising awareness about the therapeutic potential of psychedelic and other therapies for military veterans.
- The lawmakers also led a bipartisan coalition of 32 members of Congress in urging federal health officials to expedite reviews of psychedelic therapies.
Federal Agency Engagement and Funding Proposals
Following the executive order, the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced steps to accelerate therapeutic access to psychedelics for patients with serious mental health conditions. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. indicated that the Trump administration is committed to establishing a pathway for psychedelic therapy access, with top officials across federal agencies working towards facilitating its availability to the public rapidly.
In a February interview on the Joe Rogan Experience, Secretary Kennedy expressed confidence in developing and finalizing rules to enable controlled access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. He stated, “Everybody in my agency…is very anxious to get a rule out there that will allow these kind of studies and will allow access under therapeutic settings, particularly [for] the military soldiers who have suffered these injuries to get access to these products.”
Last June, Secretary Kennedy affirmed his agency’s commitment to expanding research on the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy, aiming to provide legal access for military veterans within 12 months, in collaboration with the FDA head. VA Secretary Doug Collins also disclosed an “eye-opening” discussion with Kennedy regarding psychedelic medicine’s therapeutic potential and expressed openness to government vouchers covering therapy costs for veterans receiving services outside the VA.
Congressional lawmakers have introduced legislation proposing US$30 million in annual funding to establish psychedelic-focused “centers for excellence” at VA facilities. These centers would explore novel treatments involving substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine. A U.S. Senate committee recently held a hearing on a bipartisan bill to promote psychedelic research by creating a new VA office dedicated to advancing innovative treatments and reviewing the scheduling status of these substances.
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.
