What Happens if Psychedelics Get Legalized in the US? 13 hot questions. Now.
Generated with ChatGPT. Prompted by the newhealth consulting.
Last week I was in NYC on election day. The city was quiet, a little dissociated. But minds were on high alert. In the wake of a new government for the US there might be big news about psychedelics. (And this is what we talk about here.)
Many people assume that the access will be way less regulated or even legalised soon. What happened? With a new government on the horizon, significant changes regarding the legal status and accessibility of psychedelics seem imminent. But for now, all we have are questions. Big questions.
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed an interest in bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into his health care initiatives—commonly referred to as the “health czar”. This potential appointment highlights the rising discussion about psychedelics and suggests a shift in how the government may approach these substances. Exactly, it “may”.
Here are 13 pressing questions we need to ask in the coming months:
Can we celebrate potential legalization while remaining cautious until we know what it will look like? And what can we do steward his on a global level?
Could a bipartisan approach strengthen our efforts? Gaining support from both political parties could significantly enhance the chances of establishing effective policies around psychedelics.
Will influential figures, such as entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, impact government decisions to ease access to psychedelics? And who else might have an influence, if there is such a thing like billionaire psychonaut?
How will increased access to psychedelics interact with existing government departments besides the health department? It’s important to consider potential overlaps and conflicts in legislation and regulation. How “legal” does health care need to be in the future?
What will the infrastructure for psychedelic access actually look like? We need to understand whether psychedelics will be integrated into healthcare systems and if health insurance will cover their use.
Will clinical uses of psychedelics overshadow cultural and ceremonial practices? It’s vital to consider how these traditional uses may be affected by a clinical focus.
Will heightened public interest in psychedelics lead to real changes in regulations? We must examine whether increased visibility will translate into effective policy changes and will it stay a media game without real consequences?
How might the FDA evolve under the new administration’s guidance regarding psychedelics? Understanding potential shifts in FDA policies and processes is crucial as they play a key role in drug approval.
Will therapeutic approaches remain a priority, or will the focus shift only to medications? Clarifying the direction of treatment methodologies is essential for understanding future access and implementation.
Who will shape FDA guidelines, and how could this impact psychedelic legalisation efforts internationally? The decisions made in the U.S. could have significant repercussions for how other countries view and regulate psychedelics.
Who will fund further research? The state or biotech VCs? And what will be the difference?
How could potential legalisation shift impact recreational use? Are established industries, like alcohol and pharmaceuticals, likely to resist these changes?
How can the VA health system better support veterans as the population benefiting most of psychedelic assisted therapy (mainly for PTSD) seeking psychedelic therapy?
What question are you thinking about right now? We are curious, let us know.