American senators introduced legislation this month that would enable citizens with life-threatening conditions throughout the U.S. to receive psychedelic therapy with physician oversight.
Kentucky and New Jersey Senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker presented the “Freedom to Heal Act” on Dec. 4. It is intended to create a DEA-regulated pathway for medical professionals to administer Schedule I substances like psilocybin and MDMA to eligible patients.
American representatives Madeleine Dean and Nancy Mace introduced companion legislation within the House of Representatives.
Pending approval, the bipartisan bill would build on the previously implemented “Right to Try” law through enabling the patients to not only request certain substances from certified manufacturers, but also have access to therapists that would oversee their use of the compounds.
Patients with severe medical issues would no longer be required to travel to states like Colorado or Oregon to receive psilocybin therapy and other treatment avenues would open up. They would be entitled to access nationwide. Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are a primary target for the relaxed restrictions.
Eligible investigational drugs that could be accessed through the Freedom to Heal Act must have passed through Phase I clinical studies. In addition to psilocybin and MDMA, 5-MeO-DMT meets this criteria.
“As a physician, I have seen how critical Right to Try can be for patients who are running out of options,” stated Senator Paul in a release from Booker’s office. “Yet current law leaves doctors with no clear, legal way to administer investigational therapies that fall under Schedule I. This bill creates that pathway.”
Senator Booker has described the legislation as critical, saying that it will remove unnecessary barriers preventing access to potentially life-saving treatments administered by healthcare professionals.
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More than 24 organizations are backing the legislation
The bill has been receiving a great deal of support from veteran advocacy groups, government representatives and psychedelic therapy experts. A group of these advocates were in Washington D.C. earlier this week to rally support for the bill amongst representatives in the Senate and the House.
“We are proud to support the Freedom to Heal Act because no one should have to leave the country for these life saving medicines,” said non-profit Americans for Ibogaine.
This Texas-based organization is one of the groups endorsing the Freedom to Heal Act. The substance it advocates for, Ibogaine, is a natural psychedelic that has become highly sought after by veterans for its healing capabilities, but it currently does not fall under the umbrella of drugs that have passed through Phase I clinical trials.
Certain clinics, particularly in Mexico, also use it to treat traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions.
The psychedelic advocacy group Reason for Hope also voiced its enthusiasm about the Act.
“The Freedom to Heal Act provides a narrow and urgently needed fix to ensure the Right to Try extends to these promising investigational therapies, so those most in need can heal here at home,” the organization said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee must vote on the bill to advance it. Members have not yet set a date to give their assent or dissent.
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