Growing research characterizes psychedelic drugs as promising in helping people address various mental illnesses, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved psychedelic-assisted therapies, although some may be close. In December, the nonprofit research group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies applied for FDA review of its MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. That review could come later this year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs last month announced its intent to study psychedelics for the treatment of PTSD and depression. According to the department, this is the first time since the 1960s that it is funding such research.
Wiener said California can move forward on psychedelic therapies even though their status is uncertain with the federal government. “We are not waiting for the federal government to bless us,” he said. “We are addressing California’s legal obstacles to this therapy.”
Last year, Oregon became the first state to open centers that offer regulated psilocybin therapies. More than 700 people used these services in the second half of 2023, said Dr. Brian Anderson, a psychiatrist at UC San Francisco.
“And they had waitlists of thousands of people at the different centers,” Anderson said. “In Oregon, you see people coming from out of state, so we’d have to anticipate how many Californians would access this versus other people possibly wanting to access it, but there seems to be quite a demand.”
Bipartisan support for mental health measures
Several Republicans voted for last year’s decriminalization bill. Waldron said lawmakers from both parties support the therapies because they see a new need for new mental health solutions. She shared she’s heard from veterans and first responders who shared that psychedelics have helped them overcome severe traumas and suicidal thoughts.
“Our current approach to mental health has been criminalization and lack of access; we can do better,” said Waldron, who is also the author of a second bill that establishes a state workgroup to study psychedelic-assisted therapies.
A UC Berkeley poll last year showed that 60% of those surveyed supported psychedelics for therapeutic use, and 78% supported making it easier for researchers to study psychedelics further. Meanwhile, 49% said they supported removing criminal penalties for personal use.
A number of law enforcement unions, cities and the state lobbying group for district attorneys opposed last year’s decriminalization bill. Parents and several researchers also spoke at hearings on the bill, with some requesting additional safety and education components.
Outside of the Legislature, a group of doctors and advocates are gathering signatures to place a measure on the November ballot that would approve $5 billion in state general obligation bonds to create a state agency for psychedelic therapy research. The group has until March 20 to submit signatures.