Why it matters: The Missouri House Veterans Committee recently passed a medical psilocybin bill that would legalize psilocybin therapy for veterans and grant funds for research on therapeutic benefits.
What they are saying: Rep. Aaron McMullen, a veteran who served in Afghanistan, highlights the need for psilocybin therapy for veterans. Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder argues that veterans should have access to non-pharmacological mental health treatments. Veteran William Wisner and Committee Chairman Dave Griffith also support the use of psilocybin for its transformative effects.
The big picture: Research on psilocybin is changing legislators’ minds across the country, with bills being proposed in Hawaii, Arizona, and New Mexico. In Canada, a high percentage of residents support psilocybin therapy for end-of-life patients.
What to watch: The progress of the Missouri House bill and the Senate version, SB-768, will be important to monitor, as well as the impact of psilocybin therapy on veterans and other populations.
My take: The growing support for psilocybin therapy, especially for veterans and individuals with mental health conditions, highlights the potential benefits of alternative treatments. Further research and legislation in this area could provide valuable insights and options for those in need of mental health support.
