Georgia may form a psychedelics study committee and expand veteran-treatment resources if a new resolution keeps on moving through the legislature.
On Tuesday, state lawmakers from the House defense and veterans affairs committee discussed and unanimously approved a bill that would create a legislative study committee focusing on alternative post-traumatic stress disorder treatments such as psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
House resolution 896 was originally sponsored by public safety subcommittee chairman Bill Hitchens, and states the need for mental health treatments for veterans suffering from depression and other mental health conditions.
It mentions how the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program has offered psychedelic treatments in the past, and provided care for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder for six years.
“And studies show substantial evidence that supports psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of depressive disorders,” reads the resolution.
The resolution also states how current research on psilocybin is promising for substance use issues, but trials exclude patients with a history of substance abuse.
According to the resolution, the study committee will look into the conditions, needs, issues and problems around access to treatments, and provide recommendations.
The formed committee would include the chair of the defense and veterans affairs committee, two members of the Department of Veterans Affairs and two other House members appointed by the speaker, one of whom will be assigned as chairperson.
The resolution is now in the hands of the rules committee before the floor considers it for voting.
Outside of Georgia, Utah has passed a bill to create a task force that studies psychedelics and possible regulations around them. Hawaii’s Senate approved a bill to start a working group to research the medical effects of psilocybin mushrooms and develop a plan to ensure psychedelics are accessible to adults.
Other states pushing toward decriminalization of psychedelics include Virginia and New Hampshire.
Read more: Positions of NIH, FDA signal we’re ‘on the brink of a psychedelic revolution’
Read more: Mushroom company Mydecine acquires veteran-focused psychedelic firm
Follow Natalia Buendia Calvillo on Twitter
natalia@mugglehead.com
