Have you ever wondered about the intersection between politics and psychedelic drug regulations? Well, it's more entwined than you might think. Congressional lawmakers have their sights set on the upcoming defense bill, with a goal to introduce a wave of new drug policy proposals. Let's unpack this a little and see what it could mean for the future of legal psychedelics and medical marijuana.

You see, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is more than just a defense bill. It has become a platform for law changes of all kinds, receiving more than 1,400 proposed amendments this year alone. As our members of Congress gear up to return from the July 4th break, the defense bill might just become a springboard for substantial shifts in our drug policies.

Some of these proposals are the old guard, like the amendment that wants to allow VA doctors to prescribe medical cannabis to veterans in states where it's legal. This is a conversation we've seen on the floor before. But some amendments are stepping into the spotlight for the first time. Representative Ken Buck (R-CO), for example, is pushing for the inclusion of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans.

The defense bill isn't static, though. The House Armed Services Committee has been busy revising it, even adding two new provisions that focus on medical cannabis and psychedelics. Before these additions can be voted on, they'll need to pass through the House Rules Committee.

One intriguing amendment already added to the bill is from Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX). His proposal would require the defense secretary to initiate clinical trials exploring the therapeutic effects of psychedelics (think psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine, or DMT) for active-duty service members dealing with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.

But it doesn't end there. Also included in the revised bill is a call for a pilot program to investigate the impact of marijuana use on veterans' health. To qualify for this program, participants would need a diagnosis of PTSD, depression, or anxiety, or have a prescription for pain management.

Last year, two psychedelics-related provisions were unfortunately dropped from the NDAA. However, lawmakers did manage to nudge the defense secretary into exploring the feasibility of using drug or plant-based therapies as alternatives to opioids for treating PTSD or chronic pain.

Despite the hurdles, it seems the future might be brighter for those advocating for changes in how we view and regulate psychedelics.