Michigan GOP bill proposes opioid funds for psychedelic therapy trials
A GOP lawmaker wants to fund psychedelic drug trials for veterans using opioid settlement money, despite federal prohibition of the substance.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — A Republican state representative is proposing to use opioid settlement money for clinical trials to explore whether a psychedelic drug can help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.
State Rep. Jaime Green of Richmond introduced House Bill 6020, aiming to allocate settlement funds for researching ibogaine, a Schedule 1 controlled substance currently banned in the United States. The House Families and Veterans Committee heard testimony on the proposal Tuesday but did not vote on the measure.
Green, a former U.S. Navy cryptologist, learned about the therapy’s potential at conferences but has not tried it herself. The bill may face resistance from Democratic colleagues.
Understanding Ibogaine Treatment
Ibogaine is a psychedelic that produces experiences lasting more than 12 hours, according to testimony presented to the committee. Witnesses described the drug as physically and mentally intense, likening the experience to Indigenous spirit journeys with waking visions.
The substance carries cardiovascular risks and requires careful medical monitoring by licensed professionals in clinical settings. Much of the current research on ibogaine as a therapeutic treatment has been conducted in countries like Mexico, where trials are permitted.
“For many veterans, the battle does not end when they come home. Too many carry the invisible wounds of service, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, chronic pain, substance abuse disorder,” Green told the committee. “In some cases opioid dependence begins with an injury, a prescription to manage the pain or the trauma. So, Michigan has a responsibility to stand with the men and women who serve this country.”
Funding Source and Committee Action
The legislation would use Michigan’s share of national opioid settlement funds to finance the clinical trials. These settlements result from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis through aggressive marketing of prescription painkillers.
Committee members heard from proponents who advocated for ibogaine’s potential as an addiction and trauma treatment. However, the testimony relied heavily on anecdotal evidence rather than peer-reviewed clinical studies conducted under U.S. regulatory oversight.
The committee took testimony only during Tuesday’s hearing and did not advance the bill through the legislative process. Democratic lawmakers may raise concerns about using settlement money intended for proven opioid treatment programs on experimental therapies that remain federally prohibited.
Federal Classification Challenges
Ibogaine’s classification as a Schedule 1 substance under federal law presents hurdles for any proposed clinical trials in Michigan. This designation indicates the Drug Enforcement Administration considers the substance to have high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use.
Researchers interested in studying Schedule 1 substances must obtain special federal permits and approvals, a process that can take months or years. The regulatory framework would need to accommodate any Michigan-funded research before trials could begin.
Green’s proposal represents an unconventional approach to addressing veteran mental health and substance abuse issues using funds specifically designated for opioid crisis responses. The bill’s future depends on committee action and broader legislative support for experimental psychedelic research.
