Missouri lawmakers are pushing forward a groundbreaking bill that could bring psilocybin-assisted therapy to military veterans and survivors of sex trafficking. The state’s Senate Families, Seniors, and Health Committee gave the green light to the proposal on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward alternative mental health treatment.
Who Qualifies for Psilocybin Therapy?
This isn’t a free-for-all legalization effort. The bill outlines strict requirements for eligibility:
- Participants must be at least 21 years old.
- They must either be a military veteran or a survivor of sex trafficking.
- A diagnosed condition is required, such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, substance use disorder, or being in end-of-life care.
- Enrollment in a clinical trial is mandatory.
Beyond that, patients will need to provide specific documentation to the Missouri Department of Mental Health. This includes details about their treating physician, the facilitator overseeing the therapy, and the time and location of their psilocybin use.
Limits on Psilocybin Use
The bill doesn’t just open the floodgates to psychedelic treatments. Lawmakers have capped the allowed dosage, limiting participants to a maximum of 150 mg of psilocybin within a 12-month period. That’s a crucial restriction meant to ensure that the therapy remains controlled and is used strictly for medical purposes.
For comparison, a standard dose of psilocybin in clinical settings is usually between 10 mg and 30 mg per session, meaning the approved amount could be spread out over multiple treatments throughout the year.
Funding for Research
Missouri isn’t just approving psilocybin therapy—it’s also putting money behind it. The legislation authorizes the state’s Department of Health to distribute up to $3 million in grants to fund research into the medical benefits of psilocybin.
These studies would focus on the drug’s potential to help with mental health disorders, particularly those affecting veterans and trauma survivors. Missouri’s move aligns with growing national interest in psychedelic research, with institutions like Johns Hopkins and NYU already conducting similar studies.
Legal Protections for Patients and Providers
One of the biggest concerns with psychedelic therapy is legal liability. Missouri’s bill takes that into account, ensuring that both patients and healthcare providers will be shielded from state-level penalties for participating in psilocybin treatment.
Additionally, the legislation expands Missouri’s existing “right to try” law. This means that patients with terminal illnesses could access psilocybin therapy even if they don’t qualify for clinical trials. The goal is to offer an alternative for those with few other treatment options, particularly for end-of-life anxiety and depression.
Support from Unlikely Political Allies
While psychedelics have long been controversial, Missouri’s bill has drawn bipartisan interest. Even the state’s Republican attorney general has voiced support, calling it “absolutely appropriate” to explore psilocybin therapy as an alternative treatment, especially for veterans.
He also made it clear that he plans to be involved in shaping any state-sanctioned program, signaling that Missouri’s leadership is taking this initiative seriously.
What’s Next?
A similar bill in the Missouri House has already passed through a separate legislative panel, showing momentum on both sides of the Capitol. If the full legislature approves the proposal, Missouri could join a growing number of states exploring psychedelics for mental health treatment.
For now, all eyes are on the next steps—whether the full Senate will push this historic legislation forward and if Governor Mike Parson will sign it into law.
