Michigan Resolution: Veterans Across US Should Have Access To Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Michigan lawmakers have passed a bicameral resolution approved by the state’s House in June and by the Senate on Sept. 6 urging Congress, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the VA to prioritize research and funding on “non-technology treatment options” for servicemembers and veterans with psychological trauma from military service, reported Ben Adlin for Marijuana Moment.

Copies of the resolution will be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives speaker, Senate president, chair and ranking members of the VA and Armed Services committees as well as members of the Michigan congressional delegation.

Priority treatment options include psychedelics. Resolution 5 explains that their controlled use in clinical settings, along other therapeutic approaches including buddy-to-buddy programs, outdoor therapy and easier access to service animals, “have shown promise to help veterans improve their mental health and find a new normal while dealing with the invisible wounds of war and service.”

When the measure passed the House, its introductory sponsor Rep. Jennifer Conlin said “it is so important that we provide veterans with the support they need and deserve,” adding that there are “so many options available now” to improve this population’s mental health.

In June, Conlin thanked veterans and advocates who were vocal on the need for better mental health resources for veterans.

Michigan is 11th among U.S. states in terms of veteran population with over 550,000 as of 2021. Between 2016 and 2020, 882 Michigan veterans were reported to have died by suicide. As such, “The need to address veteran mental health is of key importance in Michigan,” the document says. 

The state hasn’t yet approved any psychedelics legalization measure. Nonetheless, several local decriminalization resolutions have passed for naturally derived psychoactive substances in Ferndale, Detroit, Ann Arbor and Hazel Park.

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Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by chekart and YP_Studio on Shutterstock.