A Republican congressman is expressing optimism about the prospects of advancing psychedelics reform under President Donald Trump, arguing that the administration’s efforts to cut spending and the federal workforce will give agencies “spines” to tackle such complex issues.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chair of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, spoke with Marijuana Moment on Wednesday about the momentum behind psychedelics reform in the new Congress.
“I know we have a new administration—and I believe this administration looks at all the agencies under its purview and says, ‘Do your job for the American public,’” he said.
A Republican congressman is expressing optimism about the prospects of advancing psychedelics reform under President Donald Trump, arguing that the administration’s efforts to cut spending and the federal workforce will give agencies “spines” to tackle such complex issues.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chair of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, spoke with Marijuana Moment on Wednesday about the momentum behind psychedelics reform in the new Congress.
“I know we have a new administration—and I believe this administration looks at all the agencies under its purview and says, ‘Do your job for the American public,’” he said.
He pointed out that, under the prior administration, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected an application to authorize MDMA-assisted therapy based on an advisory panel’s recommendation. He called the denial a “spineless way out.”
“This administration is basically growing spines in agencies where they need a spine. I’m good with that,” Bergman said. “We know the time is right. It’s overdue for us, as the federal government, to put the money into research to enable alternative therapies—whatever it might mean—to become a reality.”
A Republican congressman is expressing optimism about the prospects of advancing psychedelics reform under President Donald Trump, arguing that the administration’s efforts to cut spending and the federal workforce will give agencies “spines” to tackle such complex issues.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chair of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, spoke with Marijuana Moment on Wednesday about the momentum behind psychedelics reform in the new Congress.
“I know we have a new administration—and I believe this administration looks at all the agencies under its purview and says, ‘Do your job for the American public,’” he said.
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He pointed out that, under the prior administration, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected an application to authorize MDMA-assisted therapy based on an advisory panel’s recommendation. He called the denial a “spineless way out.”
“This administration is basically growing spines in agencies where they need a spine. I’m good with that,” Bergman said. “We know the time is right. It’s overdue for us, as the federal government, to put the money into research to enable alternative therapies—whatever it might mean—to become a reality.”
“We have some of the greatest scientists in the world, so let’s put them in a lab and let’s figure it out,” the congressman said, adding that the fact that psychedelics may improve mental health outcomes for military veterans underscores the need to advance reform.
“The bottom line is: What better group to get the opportunity to have a better life because of new therapies?” he said. “It’s good for everybody. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue.”
Although Bergman is hopeful about putting money into psychedelics studies, it’s worth noting that the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) created by the Trump administration, recently touted the cancellation of a grant to support marijuana research.
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