A Senate committee in Virginia has advanced legislation that would fund clinical trials involving veterans and “breakthrough therapies” as designated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and MDMA.
Members of the Senate Education and Health Committee voted 13–1 on Thursday to sign off on the proposal—SB 1101, from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D)—and refer it to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The vote came two days after a subcommittee of the Education and Health Committee OK’d favorably reported the psychedelics proposal.
Sen. Barbara Favola (D), who chairs the subcommittee, described the measure to the full committee on Thursday as “a very comprehensive bill” that “paves the way for providing a more comprehensive approach to suicide prevention for veterans.”
“It’s incredibly important, because veterans, as we know, are suffering disproportionately from suicide, and we really don’t have enough knowledge, services or—I would say—counselors in this area,” Favola said.
Sponsor Hashmi, who also chairs the full Education and Health Committee, did not speak in favor of the bill during Thursday’s hearing.
During the earlier subcommittee hearing, on Tuesday, Hashmi called the measure “an effort to address crisis points in mental health as well
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
