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Michigan Lawmakers Debate Bill To Fund Psychedelic Research Using Opioid Settlement Dollars

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

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“For many veterans, the fight doesn’t end when they come home. Too many carry the invisible wounds of service.”

By: Ben Solis, Michigan Advance

Could a psychedelic drug with serious side effects and anecdotal evidence become a wonder drug for veterans dealing with opioid abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder as an addiction treatment?

House Republican state Rep. Jaime Green of Richmond wants to know, and wants to use opioid settlement dollars to fund needed clinical trials, a proposal that could meet some resistance from his Democratic colleagues.

Members of the House Families and Veterans Affairs Committee debated Greene’s House Bill 6020 on Tuesday. The committee received testimony from advocates of ibogaine as a therapeutic addiction and trauma drug.

The committee only took testimony and voted on Greene’s bill.

Ibogaine is currently illegal in the United States and is considered a Schedule I controlled substance. It is a powerful psychedelic with a long lasting experience that sometimes lasts more than 12 hours.

Those who testified Tuesday said the drug is physically and mentally intense, with an ibogaine experience likened to ancient indigenous spirit journeys with awakening visions. It also carries significant cardiovascular risks and should be carefully monitored by licensed medical professionals when used in a clinical setting.

Much of the ongoing research into ibogaine as a therapeutic drug has been conducted in other nations that have permitted testing, such as Mexico.

Greene, a former U.S. Army cryptologist, said he has not tried the therapy but has heard about its potential at conferences.

“For many veterans, the struggle doesn’t end when they come home. Too many have the invisible wounds of service, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, chronic pain, substance abuse disorder,” Green told the commission. “In some cases, opioid addiction begins with an injury, a prescription for pain or trauma management. So Michigan has a responsibility to stand with the men and women who serve this country, and that means honoring their service beyond words.”

Greene’s bill would create an ibogaine grant program to support research to see if the psychedelic is effective in treating substance use disorders and other conditions, such as trauma-related mental illness.

If passed as written, HB 6020 would authorize the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to establish a consortium of other states, drug manufacturers, health facilities and research-oriented universities to conduct research.

An ibogaine research fund would be established to direct dollars to the program, with a proposed $50 million appropriation.

The House Fiscal Agency says the fund would be created by the state Department of the Treasury. The $50 million appropriation would come from the Michigan Opioid Recovery and Recovery Fund — a limited state account that holds a portion of the $1.8 billion Michigan received from the national opioid settlement of a class action lawsuit.

That last part could be controversial and some of Greene’s colleagues on the committee may be concerned about advancing the legislation.

He was adamant that the bills would not legalize ibogaine for recreational use, nor would it affect current projects funded by the opioid settlement fund.

the state Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) noted that the state has rarely, if ever, funded clinical trials of experimental drugs, and that funding would be largely biased not only toward treating opioid addiction using proven methods, but also toward healing the wounds caused by the rampant use of opioids and by drug industry veterans like veterans in the pharmaceutical industry.

Xiong argued that the funds should be used for those more proven methods and not for clinical trials.

Green responded that no such substance has shown much promise, and that Michigan has state-of-the-art research facilities capable of conducting the necessary trials to determine whether ibogaine can be used successfully.

“The University of Michigan is a great example of that. That’s a global research facility that we should have in Michigan to help not only our veterans, but also those who are addicted to opioids,” Green said. “Why wouldn’t we want to do that? We have a fund that should be used to help people who are addicted to opioids. That is, instead of handing out pamphlets, it actually gives them a chance to recover.”

Kevin Boehnke, assistant professor of anesthesiology and associate director of the Michigan Psychedelic Center, spoke. legislation. Boehnke said the center’s mission is to advance education and research on psychedelics as a medical treatment, and it is currently conducting trials on cannabis among veterans with chronic pain.

Boehnke added that ibogaine, which is native to West and Central Africa, has been used by local tribes for centuries, and that interest in the medicinal drug for therapeutic purposes has emerged in recent decades.

“Unlike conventional drugs that require a daily dose, some evidence suggests that a single dose of ibogaine can improve symptoms over a long period of time,” he said. “Despite these known limitations, there is some scientific literature showing some compelling benefits, particularly for our veteran community.”

Boehnke said veterans have disproportionately higher rates of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, opioid and other substance use disorders, as well as struggles with chronic pain and suicide.

“While today’s treatment options are useful for some people, they leave too many service members without adequate relief,” Boehnke said.

However, state Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) remained skeptical.

In another interview with the Michigan Advance, Rheingans said he wasn’t sure the parameters of the opioid settlement fund allowed for clinical trials on addiction treatment drugs. He also said that most lawmakers do not have experience conducting clinical research and often do not understand what is involved.

“They don’t know how much it is to do it right and get scientific evidence,” Rheingans said. “It might be a good idea to spend some of the opioid settlement dollars to try to treat PTSD veterans…I think the anecdotes and personal stories we’ve heard prove that ibogaine can be a miracle for some people. I’m not saying that’s not true, but to prove it scientifically, we need several years of federal funding.”

Rheingans said it would be more appropriate for the federal National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to step up and fund the research. He also criticized his Republican colleagues for suggesting that states fund research, given that federal sources might have been an option had he not seen massive recent cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration.

As for whether the settlement funds could be used for clinical trials, Rheingans said he thinks it would be less of a question for Michigan lawmakers and more for Attorney General Dana Nessel. He also noted that the Legislature created a legislative opioid advisory council to gauge the allocation of settlement dollars.

“They’ve published multiple reports with multiple recommendations. None of their recommendations include clinical trials of a new drug, but legalizing recovery housing or syringe access programs … or decriminalizing the fentanyl test strip,” Rheingans said, stressing that he has introduced separate bills to address those areas. “If we’re going to spend $50 million in opioid settlement funds, we should spend it on recovery housing or other permitted uses, such as paying doctors to go to education to learn how to treat opioid use disorder.”

This story was first published by the Michigan Advance.

user photo Scamperdale.

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Cannabis News

We don’t really deal with a lot of mites because of our IPM program

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2026

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Flora Farms Pest Management Program it is built to reduce to nothing depending on the harvestso the plant ends up clean. Luke Allenbrand, Flora Farms’ crop leader, leads an integrated pest management program that focuses on prevention. “We don’t honestly deal with a lot of mites because of the IPM program, because of the predatory mites that we’ve put down as a precaution,” says Luke. “It allows us to have a much cleaner garden in the back half.” Preventative work keeps spray volumes relatively low because the curative side of the program rarely needs to be heavy.

“Actually, we are at the lowest number of these sprays that we have. The milliliters that we are using are numbers that do not exist to be a prevention,” says Luke. “But as soon as you see an uptick of those mites or anything, we bring it up to a therapeutic amount, which is still a small milliliter. And as long as you’re on a fast track with it, you see them disappear within 10 days.” The targets are spider mites, which feed on the plant’s THC and terpene production and degrade the flower.

Tested solutions
The three products used by the company are derived from agricultural and food use. “We actually apply about three insecticides that are very common around the agricultural and food grade of these products, using a suite of IPM, Venerate and Grandevo, insecticides that will deal with these mites,” says Luke. The application is intermittent rather than constant. “We usually use a 5-day spray cycle so we can have rest periods in between, so it’s not just a consistent density of that spray,” says Luke. He sees progress against mites in the gaps between the successions.

However, at some point, the spraying stops. “We finish the spray cycle by day 40. We usually don’t want to spray anywhere after day 40. At that point, you’re going to damage the product,” says Luke. “And at that point, we’ll put predatory mites in. It really helps us get to that final push point by day 59, 60 of that harvest. So we actually have a lot less of our spray in that late period. So it’s a much better tasting product.” Predatory mites take over the job of spraying, leaving nothing on the flower.

Biological control
Biological control has two forms. “We usually use them, they’re called crazy mites, and honestly, it’s crazy to see,” says Luke. “Actually, I’ve seen some of the ones in a close-up photo kill a bug, some of the cocoons actually drive away, and even attack the spider mites themselves. Very beneficial. Callias are also slow. They’re little bags that we hang on plants and they’re very beneficial to us.” Different predators work at different speeds, which is why the program runs more than one.

Missouri’s testing regime is the context in which growers operate. Each plant is tested for pest control chemicals and must pass before the product goes ahead. “Other crops and other black market shops or smoke shops in Missouri don’t have to worry about the testing we have to do,” Luke says. “Everything we use here is natural. Each of our pest management is a lot of essential oils that fight these mites. Everything we would put on a plant is food grade.” The test covers foreign chemicals, heavy metals, and anything else that an unregulated supply should never consider.

The whole arc is from biology to chemistry and back to biology. “We go from predatory mites to a food-grade spray regimen, and then back to predatory mites at the end. That way, these plants will have time to finish with no chemicals, nothing,” says Luke. “The rest of that life cycle, about 15 to 20 days, is the most natural it will have. No spraying at all during that, just to push predatory mites off that end, so there’s no residual mite damage on those plants.”

For more information:
Flower Farms
florafarmsmo.com

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California Bill To Legalize Marijuana Dispensary Drive-Thru Windows Advances In Senate After Clearing Full Assembly

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2026

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It has been passed by a California Senate committee and passed by the Assembly bill that would allow marijuana dealers to offer car windows to serve customers.

The measure, which cleared the Senate Business, Careers and Economic Development Committee on a 7-3 vote Monday, says licensed cannabis retailers and micro-businesses with storefronts can sell marijuana products “in a motor vehicle to a customer in a drive-through located on the premises.”

Under Assemblywoman Gail Peller’s (D) AB 2697, cannabis businesses would need permission from the local jurisdictions in which they operate to add a drive-thru.

The sponsor told committee members before the final vote that the bill will “expand access to legal cannabis products while strengthening our ability to compete with the illegal market.”

Annie Aubrey of Chuck’s Wellness Center, a retailer in Placerville, testified that the legislation is “about improving access.”

“A large portion of our customers use cannabis as medicine, including seniors, veterans and people living with chronic conditions that affect mobility, the population that this regulated system seeks to serve,” he said. “For many, even simple tasks like getting out of a vehicle or navigating a retail space can be physically difficult or prohibitive…A drive-thru option removes that barrier, giving patients and consumers access to what they need in a way that’s dignified and consistent with their healthcare needs.”

Amy O’Gorman Jenkins of the California Cannabis Operators Association said the legislation will provide “operational flexibility” in a highly regulated system.

“It doesn’t expand who can access cannabis,” he said. “It allows retailers, with local approval, to serve existing patients and customers more efficiently.”

Jenkins also argued that this measure could improve security.

“Currently, road traction transactions are already allowed. This means that workers regularly have to leave a safe premises while transporting the product, and sometimes they have to deposit cash in parking lots,” he said. “AB 2697 provides an additional mechanism for obtaining product, but requires a fixed and secure transaction point, keeping employees inside and reducing exposure to theft.”

Pellerin, the bill’s sponsor, previously said that “California cannabis retailers lack a common and accessible transaction channel for consumers that so many other retailers in California offer, including fast food, pharmacies, banks and even liquor stores.”

“Cannabis consumers with mobility issues or other disabilities have limited options for obtaining cannabis without having to get out of their vehicles. And while home delivery is legal, there are restrictions on service areas,” he said. “Allowing cannabis sellers to add a secure ride option, if allowed by their local jurisdiction, will improve the consumer experience, increase the security of cannabis sellers and help expand California’s legal cannabis market.”

The California Association of Narcotics Officers opposes the proposal, however, as a representative, Ryan Sherman, testified that it would make it more difficult for dispensary workers to check the IDs of customers who are of legal age or to spot signs of current intoxication at drive-thru windows.

“This bill prioritizes speed of sale over public safety while undermining existing protections designed to prevent illegal sales and protect public safety,” he argued.

Under current policy during the COVID pandemic, dispensaries can already offer street pickup.

The invoice that moving forward in the legislature would mandate that auto sales “be made through a fixed panel security window with a security drawer or similar secure transfer mechanism that is part of a building located within the premises.”

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
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California regulators recently approved emergency rule changes to the state’s marijuana licensing process. to make it easier for companies to receive benefits In line with the Trump administration’s latest move to federally regulate medical cannabis.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) recently He took credit for helping lead the state’s push to legalize marijuana and discussed his limited experience with cannabis use.

In October, however, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have It allowed micro-marijuana companies to ship medicinal cannabis directly to patients Through common carriers like FedEx and UPS, he said the proposal would be “too burdensome and complex to manage.”

Newsom signed a bill earlier this month streamlining research into marijuana and psychedelics.

In September, the governor also signed a measure pause on the recent tax increase on marijuana products.

Separately, the state attorney general says Indian tribes cannot independently participate in the marijuana trade with licensed cannabis businesses without obtaining their own commercial license from state officials.

California officials have recently been rewarded nearly $30 million in grants for marijuana-focused academic research projects.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

Concert Series Specials launched for state medical cannabis patients

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2026

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Post Dispensary, Kentucky’s first medical cannabis dispensary, is connecting with patients in Owensboro, Henderson, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Madisonville, Hopkinsville and surrounding areas by aligning unique specials with the region’s summer concert calendar. Located at 300 N Main St. in Beaver Dam, minutes from major highways connecting these vibrant cities.

This summer, The Post Dispensary is offering special pricing and incentives for Concert Series Events at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater, SPARKS in the Park 4th of July celebration and surrounding events, such as Owensboro’s ROMP Festival (June 24-27, 2026). Patients can stop by before or after shows for big savings.

“We’re more than just a booty,” said a dispensary representative. “From Owensboro’s world-class ROMP Festival to Beaver Dam’s Amphitheater events, we’re making it convenient and budget-friendly for patients in Owensboro, Henderson, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Hartford and beyond to combine our love of music with compassionate care and an affordable product.”

The Post Dispensary hosts regular Patient Guidance events on the second Saturday of every month. These units have professionals on hand to assess patients and issue written certificates at low cost, application support and expert consultations in a welcoming environment. The next Patient Drive aligns perfectly with summer travel patterns, making it easy for patients from Owensboro, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Madisonville, Henderson, Madisonville and surrounding towns to plan a trip to Beaver Dam that combines care with community and entertainment.

For more information:
Post-Dispensary
thepostdispensary.com/