The Arizona legislature has introduced House Bill 248, an effort to legalize and fund psychedelics research in the state. From the bill:
THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROVIDE FROM MONIES APPROPRIATED COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS FOR WHOLE MUSHROOM PSILOCYBIN PHASE ONE, PHASE TWO AND PHASE THREE CLINICAL TRIALS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF BEING APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF WHOLE MUSHROOM PSILOCYBIN ON TREATING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
2. SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG COVID-19.
3. DEPRESSION.
4. ANXIETY DISORDERS.
5. SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH END-OF-LIFE DISTRESS.
6. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER.
7. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION DISORDERS.
8. EATING DISORDERS.
9. CHRONIC PAIN.
10. INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS.
11. AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS.
12. SEIZURE DISORDERS.
It would provide millions of dollars to study the potential benefits of psychedelic mushrooms, with a focus on veterans, first responders, and frontline healthcare workers.
The bipartisan bill will fund psychedelics research to the tune of $30 million in 2023-2024.