Texas Senate Votes to Study Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics

The Texas Senate voted over the weekend to study the effectiveness of certain psychedelics in treating veterans with PTSD, according to Marijuana Moment.

Having originated in the Texas House, HB 1802 was amended and passed by the Senate in a 25-5 vote on Sunday and now heads back to the House for final approval. Senate lawmakers also approved a House bill to reduce penalties for the possession of cannabis concentrates.

If passed and ultimately signed into law by the governor, the psychedelics legislation would require the state to partner with Baylor College of Medicine and a military-focused treatment center to study the effectiveness and risks of psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine in treating veterans with PTSD, according to the report.

Furthermore, the bill would mandate a clinical trial for veterans using psilocybin to treat PTSD and a deeper dive into current literature on the topic.

In an uncharacteristic show of support for drug policy liberalization, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) reportedly championed the bill in the state legislature.

The cannabis concentrates bill seeks to reduce the penalty for possessing up to two ounces of concentrate from a felony to a Class B misdemeanor. If approved, it would be the first time since the 1970s that Texas reduces its penalties for cannabis possession.

Additionally, in a move to regulate Delta 8 THC, senators amended the bill to consider all forms of THC to calculate hemp potency in the state, according to the report.