Missouri Lawmakers Push Forward on Medical Psilocybin Trials for PTSD and Mental Health

Missouri legislators are moving forward with a plan to study the potential benefits of medical psilocybin. A House committee voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would authorize clinical trials to evaluate the psychedelic substance’s effectiveness in treating PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. But while support is growing, past efforts have stalled before reaching the Senate. Will this time be different?

Unanimous House Committee Vote Signals Strong Support

The Missouri House Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces sent a clear message with its 20-0 vote in favor of the bill. The proposed legislation would fund research on psilocybin’s impact, focusing on individuals struggling with severe mental health conditions, particularly veterans.

For the third year in a row, lawmakers are considering legislation to introduce a structured medical psilocybin program. Previous attempts gained traction in the House but failed to move forward in the Senate.

Rep. Michael Johnson (D), a veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, voiced his support, emphasizing the urgency of such treatments.

“I wish this was available then or we knew more about it then,” Johnson said during a recent hearing. “I’ve seen the ill effects that the war has caused on a lot of my fellow comrades. And some have even taken their lives because they didn’t have an opportunity to have something like this.”

Who Would Qualify for the Psilocybin Trials?

The bill lays out specific eligibility criteria for participants, aiming to target those most in need.

• Patients must be at least 21 years old.
• They must have a diagnosed condition such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, or substance use disorder, or require end-of-life care.
• Approved participants would be granted one-year protections from drug possession charges while enrolled in the trial.
• Each patient would be limited to 150 milligrams of psilocybin per year.

These restrictions ensure that the program remains focused on research and treatment, rather than broad legalization efforts.

Funding and Research: The Role of Missouri’s Health Department

The legislation doesn’t just allow for trials—it also directs the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to dedicate $2 million toward studying psilocybin’s effectiveness. The funds would support research on treatment outcomes and potential long-term impacts.

Missouri isn’t the first state to explore psilocybin-assisted therapy. Similar studies have taken place in Oregon, Colorado, and Texas, where lawmakers have also shown interest in psychedelic-based mental health treatments. However, Missouri’s bill is unique in its exclusive focus on clinical trials rather than broader legalization.

Roadblocks in the Senate: Will This Bill Make It Through?

While the House has been willing to push psilocybin research forward, the Senate has been a different story. Past versions of this bill never made it to the Senate floor for debate. Advocates are hoping that this year’s momentum, combined with growing public interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy, will finally move the bill past this long-standing hurdle.

Veterans, in particular, have become a vocal group in favor of alternative treatments. With high rates of PTSD and mental health struggles among former service members, many see psilocybin therapy as a potential lifeline.

If Missouri successfully launches these trials, it could pave the way for broader medical use of psilocybin in the state. For now, all eyes are on the Senate to see if they’ll take action—or let the proposal fade away again.