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Senate committee backs resolution urging federal action on psychedelic research; sponsor clarifies medical model
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 10, urging Congress to remove barriers to research and therapeutic use of certain psychedelic compounds, passed the committee after proponents emphasized a medical, not recreational, model and after a cleanup amendment adjusted statistical language and compliance phrasing.
Senate Joint Resolution 10, which urges the U.S. Congress to address barriers to therapeutic research and use of certain psychedelic compounds, passed the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections on April 8.
Pepper Sturm summarized SJR 10 as expressing support for expanded federal research and for reclassification that would facilitate clinical trials and therapeutic access. The resolution cites reported clinical results for compounds such as psilocybin in treating conditions including PTSD and certain depressive disorders.
Annette Magnus, representing the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicine, appeared at the work session to underscore that the resolution and its companion bill (AB 378 in the Assembly) are intended to support a medical model. Magnus said the goals are to (1) ensure federal scheduling and research funding align to permit clinical trials and physician access; and (2) establish a tightly controlled state pilot project modeled for veterans and first responders that would be clinical and not recreational.
Senator Steinbeck pressed on the removal of the term “supervised” from one resolved clause in the amendment; Magnus said the change was a technical clean-up and her group would work to restore language if committee members preferred. Senator Steinbeck asked whether the resolution should more explicitly state it does not endorse recreational use; Magnus said sponsors had discussed that intent and she was willing to work with the senator to clarify the record.
The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment — which revised statistical language about psilocybin outcomes and adjusted a resolved clause to add compliance with local laws — and advanced the resolution. Senator Krasner recorded a no on the motion in committee; the measure otherwise passed and the floor statement was given to Senator Winn.
Why it matters: SJR 10 is a nonbinding expression urging federal action and research; the companion bill AB 378 (described by testimony as a small-scale pilot project) would propose a state pilot with clinical guardrails for certain patient groups. Committee discussion focused on ensuring a medical model and avoiding an impression the measures endorse recreational uses.
