{"id":29731,"date":"2022-03-15T16:12:38","date_gmt":"2022-03-15T16:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=29731"},"modified":"2022-03-15T16:12:38","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T16:12:38","slug":"state-treasurers-discuss-marijuana-banking-challenges-at-annual-conference-with-congressional-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/15\/state-treasurers-discuss-marijuana-banking-challenges-at-annual-conference-with-congressional-officials\/","title":{"rendered":"State Treasurers Discuss Marijuana Banking Challenges At Annual Conference With Congressional Officials"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A Connecticut legislative committee on Monday discussed a bill that would set the state up to provide certain patients with access to psychedelic-assisted treatment with substances like MDMA and psilocybin. Former top military officials, advocates and scientists testified in favor of the proposal.<\/p>\n

The joint Public Health Committee took oral and written testimony on HB 5396, which would create a psychedelic treatment centers in the state, pending approval of the substances by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under its expanded access program for investigational new drugs.<\/p>\n

The bill would not legalize the psychedelics; rather, it would set up regulatory infrastructure to enable Connecticut to play a leading role in providing access to this alternative treatment option as federal agencies continue to fund and facilitate clinical trials.<\/p>\n

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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong>
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Psychedelic therapy would be specifically provided and funded for military veterans, retired first responders, health care workers and any person from a \u201chistorically underserved community, and who has a serious or life-threatening mental or behavioral health disorder and without access to effective mental or behavioral health medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI firmly believe that we have a duty, responsibility and, more than ever, an urgency to help\u2026all those suffering from trauma to heal and move forward as productive members of our society,\u201d retired Marine Lt. Gen Martin Steele said at the hearing. \u201cI also believe we have failed to do so for a very long time. Reversing these trends require bold but thoughtful and strategic action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed a bill last year that includes language requiring the state to carry out a study into the therapeutic potential<\/a> of psilocybin mushrooms. A workgroup<\/a> has since been meeting\u00a0to investigate the issue.<\/p>\n

The new legislation would require the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to launch a \u201cpsychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program to provide qualified patients with the funding\u201d to receive MDMA- or psilocybin-assisted therapy as part of FDA\u2019s expanded access program, the text of the bill states.<\/p>\n

The pilot program would cease \u201cwhen MDMA and psilocybin have been approved to have a medical use by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or any successor agency.\u201d At that point, state statute on the substances would be aligned with the federal government\u2019s.<\/p>\n