Subcommittee forwards bill to let Tennessee institutions join federally approved ibogaine trials

The Finance, Ways and Means subcommittee voted to send House Bill 2,075 to the full finance committee after adopting amendment drafting code 18,655.

Chairman Terry told the committee the amended bill removes any fiscal impact to the state and does not create a statewide program, but provides "clear legal authority and protection so that Tennessee research institutions, health care providers, and patients can participate in federally approved FDA clinical trials studying Ibogaine for opioid use disorder, PTSD, and traumatic, brain injury." He framed the proposal as a way to allow Tennessee veterans and others to enroll in research domestically rather than travel abroad for treatment.

Terry argued the bill is timely, citing elevated state statistics: "Tennessee ranks number 1 in the nation for opioid use disorder diagnosis rate," he said, and pointed to high veteran overdose and suicide rates and a growing VA patient load treated for PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Representative Reeves described a constituent whose elderly mother became dependent on prescription opioids and said he supported exploring ibogaine as a possible solution.

Deputy Speaker Zach asked how the president's executive order interacts with the bill; Terry replied the order accelerates FDA clinical-trial pathways, referenced the investigational new drug classification required for schedule I substances and cited federal funding streams he said would be available to support research (he referenced $50,000,000 and an HHS initiative of $139,000,000).

The clerk reported 12 ayes and the chair announced HB 2,075 "moves to full finance." The bill will next be taken up by the full finance committee.