The California State Capitol’s Senate Chamber (Photo: Ben Franske)
Earlier this month, bipartisan state senators, Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Santee, and Senator Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, introduced Senate Bill 803, known as the “Heal Our Heroes Act.” This proposed bill permits the therapeutic use of certain psychedelics, specifically psilocybin or psilocyn, for Veterans and first responders in San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz counties.
“As a dedicated advocate for Veterans and first responders, I firmly believe it is our duty to support and heal the brave individuals who served our country and communities,” said Jones in a press release, who previously was opposed to broader efforts to make psychedelics available. “I am not calling for the widespread legalization of psychedelics; rather, I’m championing a targeted medical treatment aimed specifically at aiding Veterans and first responders in their recovery.”
“SB 803 is an entirely new and innovative effort that is the result of comprehensive discussions on how the state can best support our Veterans and first responders with a viable treatment for work-induced post-traumatic stress disorder,” stated Senator Becker. “We have a responsibility to do everything possible to provide quality care to these heroes, and I am proud to joint author this bipartisan effort that will have a real impact on the people who serve our state and country.”
The bill cites statistics stating that an average of 16.8 Veterans die by suicide daily, often following traumatic experiences that can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Emerging research, as referenced in the bill, suggests that psilocybin, when administered in a controlled and facilitated environment, could offer significant benefits in treating mental health disorders related to trauma and stress.
The Psychedelic-Assisted Facilitation Pilot Program outlined in the bill would enable public health officers to approve entities to establish and operate up to five psychedelic-assisted facilitation centers per county. These centers would be required to license facilitators, including psychologists, medical doctors, social workers, nurse practitioners, clinical counselors, physician assistants, or naturopathic doctors. Eligible participants would be Veterans or first responders over 21 who have passed a suitability screening, offering them the chance to undergo psilocybin therapy for mental health treatment.
The bill is set to sunset after three years unless extended by future legislation. It has received support from Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who previously authored broader psychedelic decriminalization efforts. Wiener’s past bills, Senate Bill 58 and Senate Bill 1012, faced setbacks with SB 58 being vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom and SB 1012 dying in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 803 has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further committee assignment, continuing the ongoing dialogue on psychedelic therapy as a solution for mental health issues among Veterans.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.