These marijuana and psychedelics changes could be included in the next defense bill

Through Laura Goldstein

At a recent House Rules Committee meeting, Representatives Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) supported research into alternative treatments for military personnel in the 2023 Defense Bill.

Nearly 1,200 proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendments, including a dozen related to marijuana and psychedelics, were presented to the committee.

Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

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Several of the key reforms to drug policy have been put to the vote in Parliament and are now due to be considered by the full chamber.

The measure introduced by Gaetz builds on an existing provision by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) to research marijuana as an alternative to opioids for military personnel with certain health conditions. That bill was already attached to the House Armed Services Committee’s must-pass bill, Marijuana Moment reported. Gaetz suggests expanding research into psilocybin and MDMA.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently filed an almost identical but separate amendment to the NDAA, asking the DOD to explore psilocybin, MDMA, and marijuana as alternatives to opioids for service members with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or severe pain.

As Marijuana Moment reported, the Democrat-led action was taken to proceed while its GOP counterpart did not.

On the other hand, Crenshaw’s amendment would give the Secretary of Defense the ability to approve grants for research into the therapeutic power of a list of psychedelics (including MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT) for active-duty members suffering from PTSD.

Crenshaw’s measure was first introduced in 2021 when the House Rules Committee did not order it for NDAA ground consideration. The text, which has not been modified, does not seek to decriminalize psychedelics or give military personnel free rein to experiment with them, but to begin studying a new, potentially life-enhancing therapeutic option.

psychedelicsPhoto by wildpixel/Getty Images

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Alongside the psychedelics amendments, other proposals have been approved and are also scheduled for full consideration by the Chamber: VA home loan benefits for veterans who use medical cannabis, allowing VA physicians to fill out medical marijuana referrals, and protecting banks using state-owned veterans legal cannabis working companies, among others.

The FY2023 bill seems interested in including cannabis and psychedelics policies in the defense, as well as those of Perlmutter (D-CO), Mace (R-SC), Clark (D-MA), Tlaib (D-MI) proposed policy changes. , and Blumenauer (D-OR).

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.

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