Texas Rep. Alex Dominguez (D) Introduces Bill to Study Benefits of Psychedelics

Truffle report writes

Introduced by Rep. Alex Dominguez (D), a bill was filed in the Texas Legislature on February 10, pushing for a drug policy reform in the state via the study of potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health issues. 

The legislation, HB 1802, would direct the Department of State Services to carry out a collaborative study with the Texas Medical Board in evaluating “the therapeutic efficacy of alternative therapies, including the use of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and ketamine in the treatment of mental health and other medical conditions.”

TEXT

87R6837 MCF-D
By: Dominguez
H.B. No. 1802
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study evaluating the use of alternative therapies for
treating certain mental health and other medical conditions.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  (a) In this Act, “department” means the
Department of State Health Services.
       (b)  The department, in collaboration with the Texas Medical
Board, shall conduct a study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy
of alternative therapies, including the use of
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and
ketamine, in the treatment of mental health and other medical
conditions, including:
             (1)  depression;
             (2)  anxiety;
             (3)  post-traumatic stress disorder;
             (4)  bipolar disorder;
             (5)  chronic pain; and
             (6)  migraines.
       (c)  In conducting the study described by Subsection (b) of
this section, the department shall:
             (1)  evaluate and determine whether alternative
therapies are effective in treating the mental health and other
medical conditions described by that subsection; and
             (2)  compare the efficacy of the alternative therapies
with the efficacy of treatments currently used for the mental
health and other medical conditions described by that subsection.
       (d)  Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall
prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the
legislature a written report containing the results of the study
conducted under this section and any recommendations for
legislative or other action.
       (e)  This Act expires September 1, 2023.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

 

SOURCE:  https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/html/HB01802I.htm

 

The study will also “evaluate and determine” whether alternative psychedelic-assisted therapies are effective in treating issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other related mental health concerns. The board is required to submit its findings by December 1, 2022.

A similar proposal to study the benefits of psilocybin was filed in Connecticut in late January, suggesting the establishment of “a task force to study the health benefits of psilocybin.” That bill is currently listed as being “In Committee” for review.

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Texas Introduces Bill to Study Benefits of Psychedelics

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