Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who is no stranger to making headlines, has spoken out once again in support of more studies on psychedelic drugs. Ocasio-Cortez introduced a proposal that would promote future studies on psychedelic substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine. The Amendment to Division A of Rules Committee Print 117-12 proposes genuine consideration to the future of psychedelic substances in the U.S. “United States researchers to study and examine the potential impacts of several Schedule I Drugs, such as MDMA, psilocybin, and or ibogaine, that have been shown to be effective in treating critical diseases,” states the amendment.
This isn’t the first time Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has tried to get Congress to consider the therapeutic components of psychedelics. In 2019, she submitted an amendment proposal to remove a provision that prevents scientists from freely conducting research on substances like psilocybin or MDMA. Nevertheless, the House of Representatives rejected her proposal. Ocasio-Cortez said, “I’m a strong believer in evidence-based policymaking,” during a floor debate concerning the topic in 2019. She further noted, “And wherever there is evidence of good, we have a moral obligation to pursue and explore the parameters of that good. Even if it means challenging our past assumptions or admitting past wrongs.” She even took a bipartisan approach, explaining that sooner or later, this could be a part of our future in the medical world.
It might not be long before we start to see patients leaving dispensaries or pharmacies with psychedelics in a little medicine bottle.
Ocasio-Cortez continued, saying, “I understand that the politics of this bill may make it difficult for some to support right now. But I propose this amendment and urge my colleagues to support it because politics isn’t always about winning today, but it is about fighting for what is right in the future and for future generations.”
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has been very vocal about her support for psychedelic substances treating certain medical conditions. Most recently she spoke out in favor of cannabis decriminalization when news broke that Sha’Carri Richardson would no longer be able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for THC. She tweeted back on July 2, “The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy.” She stated that it would take both working members of the Democratic and Republican parties in order to end the War on Drugs and legalize recreational cannabis statewide.
Granted, while it may take more than an ardent congressional advocate to bring about change when it concerns marijuana and psychedelic reform. All of these proposals, and a slew of others, are set to be discussed by the House of Representatives on Monday, July 26.
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