Massachusetts lawmakers have sent a military veterans-focused bill to the governor’s desk that includes provisions to create a psychedelics working group to study and make recommendations about the potential therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin and MDMA.
Gov. Maura Healey (D) initially introduced the proposal—titled the Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act)—last November. It cleared the legislature on Thursday before being transmitted to her desk.
The psychedelics language wouldn’t immediately create a framework for legal access, but it would require the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS) to convene a working group to study “alternative therapies for mental health treatments for veterans” and exploring “whether psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed mental health disorders.”
The panel would need to “evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine in psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for veterans.” And it would be required to issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat veterans with mental health disorders in the commonwealth.”
Members would need to assess whether “psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed mental health disorders” and “evaluate literature, research trials
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