Louisiana task force opens review of psychedelic and other alternative therapies for veterans

BATON ROUGE, La. — On Aug. 27, 2025, the newly formed Task Force on Alternative Therapies for Veterans met for the first time to hear personal testimony and medical perspectives on using psychedelics and other nontraditional treatments to address post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders and treatment‑resistant depression among veterans.

Senator McMath opened the meeting, saying the panel had a duty to “have the discussion” and read an anonymous constituent note that began, “We all know the heavy burden that post traumatic stress has placed on our veterans.” The senator said the task force will rely on scientific testimony and examples from other states as it develops recommendations.

The meeting brought medical providers, veterans and advocacy groups into the record. Dr. Kathleen Willis, an internist representing the Louisiana Department of Health, said clinicians have seen cases “of severe depression that has been resistant to traditional treatments” and that there is “great success with psychedelics.” Willis told the group, “If our traditional treatments aren't working, let people try something new.”

Veteran Dominic Luke, who served 10 years as a pararescueman in the Air Force, described his experience seeking psychedelic‑assisted therapy and said he came to the task force to offer “my experience and my knowledge on that path of psychedelic therapy and plant medicines.” Chad Moody, who works in the nursing‑home industry and serves on the Patriot Village board in New Iberia, said he has employees and family members who struggle with PTSD and substance use and described the task force as “a great opportunity.”

Speakers also urged the panel to study models from other states. Senator McMath summarized recent legislation in Texas and New Mexico: he said Texas passed Senate Bill 2308 in June 2025 to authorize clinical ibogaine research and establish a public‑private grant program under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and that New Mexico passed the Medical Psilocybin Act in April 2025 to create a psilocybin program under that state's Department of Health (with implementation pushed to Dec. 31, 2027).

Advocates urged Louisiana to consider both clinical and community approaches. Tony Landry, founder of Louisiana Veterans for Medical Cannabis, recommended a package of measures including decriminalizing adult possession of classic entheogens with harm‑reduction education, allowing limited home cultivation for personal use, piloting community programs through American Legion and VFW posts, creating state training and certification for facilitators, and prioritizing nonprofit and veteran‑led providers to avoid “corporate capture.” Landry appealed: “Please give Louisiana veterans and first responders and frontline medical professionals safe affordable community based access so we can heal, work, reconnect with our families, and stay alive.”

Jeffrey Sanford, a criminal defense attorney, described personal and client experiences with psilocybin and referenced clinical research he said showed that “after 3 MDMA treatments, 67 percent” of study participants no longer met criteria for PTSD; he acknowledged he did not have the study citation available at the meeting.

The task force did not adopt any policy or make votes at the meeting. Senator McMath said staff will work to bring subject‑matter experts to future meetings, including clinicians and representatives from states with active programs, and that the panel will reach out to law enforcement and district attorneys for their input. The group agreed to reconvene in mid to late October for a substantive hearing with invited experts and witnesses.

Meeting participants emphasized distinctions among discussion, direction and decision. The meeting record shows discussion and testimony only; formal policy options and any proposed statutory language were not introduced or voted on. Several speakers stressed the need for clinical protocols, screening for contraindications, integration supports and outcome measurement if treatments move toward formal programs.

Background and context: witnesses at this meeting cited ongoing clinical research into psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine for PTSD, depression and substance use disorders and pointed to recent state actions in Texas and New Mexico as models to study. Advocates warned of access and cost barriers under a commercial licensing model and recommended community‑based pilots and trainer certification. The task force will gather further evidence and stakeholder feedback before proposing legislative action.

The task force adjourned after roughly 24 minutes and scheduled the next meeting for mid to late October 2025.