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Committee backs bill to fund Ibogaine clinical trials through public‑private grants
Summary
House Bill 3344 would create a state grant program to support Ibogaine drug‑development trials in partnership with federal and private entities; committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a referral to Finance.
A Senate panel voted to report House Bill 3344 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass as amended, sending the measure first to the Committee on Finance for additional review.
Counsel summarized the measure as establishing a grant program to fund a public‑private partnership to support drug‑development trials of ibogaine for treatment of opioid use disorder, co‑occurring substance use disorders and other neurological or mental‑health conditions if efficacy is demonstrated. Counsel said the sponsor and applicant would have to meet eligibility requirements, a selection committee would be appointed, and applicants chosen to receive grants must provide at least an equal amount of matching funds. The original committee amendment moved the administrative lead from the Department of Health to the Department of Human Services, citing that the Office of Drug Control Policy and program oversight reside there.
Ryan Browning, House of Delegates, District 28, testified in support. Browning said ibogaine is “derived from an African plant” and cited a review of 24 studies of about 700 participants that he said showed reductions in opioid withdrawal symptoms and craving; he also referenced smaller studies suggesting improvements in PTSD and depression among veterans. "We're ground zero for the opioid crisis here in West Virginia, and Ibogaine could be a tool if we can provide a safe and effective way to treat with it," Browning told the committee.
Committee members accepted a committee amendment and the vice chair moved that the bill be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass as amended and that it be first referred to Finance under the original double committee reference. The chair declared the motion adopted.
Counsel told the committee there was no fiscal note in the packet and listed the Department of Human Services as the primary affected agency; the summary showed the bill would take effect in 90 days.
