State House Approves Psilocybin Research Trials
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today approved landmark legislation to allow for clinical trials on psilocybin and psilocin for the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
House Bill 3414, authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-lawton, and Rep. Logan Phillips, R-mounds, would create the framework for universities, institutions of higher education and research facilities to conduct clinical trials on psilocybin and psilocin for the treatment of certain ailments.
"I believe the research will show that there is a way to use this drug safely and responsibly, and it could save the lives of thousands of Oklahomans," Pae said. "While there is ongoing research in other states, we know that different scientists take different approaches, and having Oklahoma's top-notch researchers on this topic can only make the data better."
In the past two years, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has designated psilocybin therapy as "breakthrough therapy," a designation only granted when preliminary evidence suggests a drug may be a significant improvement over currently available therapy.
Initial research conducted in other states indicates psilocybin has the potential to relieve the symptoms of depression for up to a year after one or two treatments. Psilocybin is thought to disrupt negative, repetitive depressive thoughts by acting on the part of the brain that produces serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood. There is also evidence to suggest that psilocybin can break the addictive pattern of thoughts and behaviors associated with excessive smoking and drinking.
Research would be limited to ten mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression, treatment-resistant anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI), earlystage dementia and opioid use disorders.
According to a report from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma has the highest rate of suicide among veterans aged 18-34 in the nation.
"This is a tool that can mean the difference between life and death for many in our veteran community," Phillips said. "We have a chance as Oklahomans to lead the charge for mental health and PTSD treatment for our vets, and passing this bill puts another arrow in our quiver as we address complex mental health issues in our state."
All researchers would need to apply for a license with the State Dept. of Health and register with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Cultivation research must be registered with the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture.
The bill requires a written report of the clinical trials and research conclusions be submitted to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2025.
Texas passed a similar bill in 2021, and other states, including Utah, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine and Florida, are considering the authorization of these clinical trials.
The bill passed the House 62-30 and now moves to the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, Rtuttle.