Creating a medicinal psilocybin treatment fund and a pilot program to study the effects of medicinal psilocybin treatment on patients with post-traumatic stress syndrome at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and making an appropriation. (FE)
Impact
If enacted, SB727 will create a separate nonlapsible trust fund known as the medicinal psilocybin treatment fund, which will be replenished through donations, gifts, grants, and state allocations. This fund aims to cover not only operational expenses of the pilot program but also any additional costs incurred through the administration of the program. The legislation marks a significant step in integrating innovative treatment options into state health services and, if successful, could influence broader mental health treatment policies for veterans and others suffering from PTSD.
Summary
Senate Bill 727 seeks to establish a pilot program for the study of medicinal psilocybin treatment specifically aimed at veterans experiencing treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). The bill proposes creating a dedicated fund to support this initiative, which will be administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison in collaboration with its Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances and its School of Pharmacy. The bill's primary goal is to assess the efficacy of psilocybin as a therapeutic option for veterans over the age of 21, excluding law enforcement personnel from participation.
Contention
Notably, the bill has faced scrutiny regarding its eligibility criteria, particularly the exclusion of law enforcement officers from participation. This could elicit debate over whether such exclusions are justified or overly restrictive. Additionally, the bill's reliance on a novel treatment modality like psilocybin may draw concern regarding safety, regulatory permissions, and ethical considerations governing the administration of psychedelic substances. As the pilot program progresses, findings will be reported to the governor and relevant legislative committees, which may further highlight the bill's potential as a template for future mental health and substance use legislation.
Creating a medicinal psilocybin treatment fund and a pilot program to study the effects of medicinal psilocybin treatment on patients with post-traumatic stress syndrome at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and making an appropriation. (FE)
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Working Group To Examine The Medicinal And Therapeutic Effects Of Psilocybin And Psilocin And Develop A Long-term Strategic Plan To Ensure The Availability Of Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Or Psilocybin-based And Psilocin-based Products That Are Safe, Accessible, And Affordable For Eligible Adult Patients.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Working Group To Examine The Medicinal And Therapeutic Effects Of Psilocybin And Psilocin And Develop A Long-term Strategic Plan To Ensure The Availability Of Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Or Psilocybin-based And Psilocin-based Products That Are Safe, Accessible, And Affordable For Eligible Adult Patients.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Working Group To Examine The Medicinal And Therapeutic Effects Of Psilocybin And Psilocin And Develop A Long-term Strategic Plan To Ensure The Availability Of Medicinal Psilocybin And Psilocin Or Psilocybin-based And Psilocin-based Products That Are Safe, Accessible, And Affordable For Eligible Adult Patients.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group To Examine The Medicinal And Therapeutic Effects Of Psilocybin And Develop A Longterm Strategic Plan, Should Food And Drug Administration Approval For Medical Use Be Obtained, To Enable The Availability Of Therapeutic Psilocybin Or Psilocybin-based Products That Are Safe, Accessible, And Affordable For Adults Twenty-one Years Of Age Or Older.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group To Examine The Medicinal And Therapeutic Effects Of Psilocybin And Develop A Long-term Strategic Plan, Should Food And Drug Administration Approval For Medical Use Be Obtained, To Enable The Availability Of Therapeutic Psilocybin Or Psilocybin-based Products That Are Safe, Accessible, And Affordable For Adults Twenty-one Years Of Age Or Older.