Cannabis News

Bipartisan Lawmakers Push FDA To Speed Up Approval Of Psychedelic Therapies

Published

1 month ago

May 8, 2026

admin

A bipartisan coalition of 32 members of Congress is urging federal health officials to speed up ongoing reviews of psychedelic therapies.

“For many people, current treatment options are insufficient, deepening an already urgent public health crisis,” wrote lawmakers, Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA), chair of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, in a letter to the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “As members of the House of Representatives, we have heard from countless veterans, clinicians and families seeking evidence-based alternatives.”

The letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary says lawmakers are “encouraged” by his recent statement that psychedelic treatments are “a top priority for this FDA and this administration.”

The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced steps last month that they say will help “expediting” therapeutic access to psychedelics for patients suffering from serious mental health conditions.

That movement a President Donald Trump signed an executive order on psychedelics.

The lawmakers’ new letter said they want the FDA to conduct “expeditious and rapid review of promising treatments,” especially those that address urgent unmet needs in PTSD, traumatic brain injury and other neuropsychiatric conditions, but “understand and respect the agency’s role in ensuring that new treatments meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards.”

They said recent developments, including the public release of documents related to the denial of MDMA-assisted therapy approval during the Biden administration, “highlight the complexity of evaluating innovative treatment modalities and underscore the need for clear and consistent expectations for this emerging field.”

Members of Parliament have several questions for Makary to answer:

Specific Protocol Assessment (SPA): How does FDA communicate and apply other data concerns beyond clearly defined primary endpoints and control conditions when pivotal trials are conducted in a SPA? Are improvements being made to anticipate regulatory expectations for therapies in developing areas?
Methodological standards and interagency coordination: What steps FDA is taking to clarify methodological expectations for entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted clinical trials—including strategies to mitigate functional illusion and expectancy effects—and how the agency is coordinating with federal partners, such as the US Department of Veterans Affairs, to meet urgent research needs in populations such as the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans with PTSD.
Review integrity and subject matter expertise: How does the FDA ensure that reviews of entactogenic and psychedelic-assisted therapies are conducted by qualified experts with relevant experience? What steps are there in the evaluation process to ensure consistency, objectivity and independence?
Timeline for final guidance: What is the timeline for finalizing the FDA’s June 2023 guidance on accelerated clinical trials of new therapeutics, including entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies?

They are also encouraging clarification in any new FDA guidance on:

Strategies to mitigate functional desistance and expectancy bias;
Adverse event monitoring and security reporting rules;
Provider training, licensing and participant protections;
The evolving role of psychotherapy alongside pharmacological intervention;
Generalizability of findings to different patient populations; and
Consistency of regulatory expectations for entactogenic and psychedelic drug development programs.

“We remain committed to ensuring that veterans and others with treatment-resistant mental health conditions have access to safe, evidence-based care,” the lawmakers said. he wrote. “We respectfully urge the FDA to continue its evaluation of entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies with transparency, urgency, and scientific rigor while the agency fulfills its statutory responsibilities.”

In addition to Bergman and Correa, other lawmakers who signed the letter include: Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-WI Orden) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI).

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HHS Secretary said recently The Trump administration is “very eager” to create a pathway to access psychedelic therapy and that senior officials at federal agencies want to “get it out to the public as soon as possible.”

In an interview with the Joe Rogan Experience in February, Kennedy said he was confident “we’re going to get it,” with plans to develop and finalize rules that would allow patients with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression to access psychedelic substances like psilocybin and MDMA in a “very controlled environment.”

“Everyone at my agency … is very eager to get a rule that will allow these types of studies and allow access to these products in therapeutic settings, particularly for military personnel who have sustained these injuries,” the HHS secretary said. “We are working on that process now. We are all working and trying to make it happen.”

“I think we’ll make it,” he said.

Last June, Kennedy said that his agency “Fully committed” to expanding research into the benefits of psychedelic therapy. and, along with the head of the FDA, aims to give military veterans legal access to these substances “within 12 months.”

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins also announced in April that he had an “eye-opening” conversation with Kennedy. On the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine. And he said he’s open to the government issuing vouchers to cover the costs of psychedelic therapy for veterans who receive services outside the VA while Congress considers avenues for access.

Bipartisan members of Congress introduced legislation this session to provide $30 million in annual funding. establish psychedelic-focused “centers of excellence” at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility where veterans can receive new treatments containing substances such as psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.

A US Senate committee held a hearing last month on a bipartisan bill Promote research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics by creating a new office at the VA this would help develop innovative treatments for serious mental health conditions and review the scheduling status of drugs such as psilocybin, ibogaine and MDMA.

Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said ibogaine represents ‘amazing breakthrough’ in nation’s current ‘patient care system’ this has left people with serious mental health conditions without access to promising alternative treatments.

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

GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 in 2026 photos

Published

41 minutes ago

June 13, 2026

admin

Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.

The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.

Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.

Click here for the photo report.

Cannabis News

Illinois Governor Signs Bill To Double Marijuana Possession Limit, Restrict Hemp THC Products And Reform Rules For Businesses

Published

47 minutes ago

June 13, 2026

admin

Illinois’ governor has signed an omnibus cannabis bill into law doubles the amount of marijuana that adults can legally possesssignificantly restricts hemp THC products and makes other changes to the rules under which licensed businesses can operate.

Governor JB Pritzker on Friday gave final approval to the legislation, which cleared the House and Senate about two weeks ago.

As established by law, SB 3222 allows state residents over the age of 21 to possess up to 60 grams of marijuana flower, double the previous law. They can also contain up to 10 grams of concentrated cannabis and infused products with up to 1,000 mg of THC, double the previous limit. Ownership amounts for non-resident adults are also doubled under the bill.

People with past convictions for possession of 60 grams of marijuana will now have the option to have those records expunged; they can double the previous cut, which only those with convictions of up to 30 grams can have the right.

The legislation also recriminalizes hemp THC products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, in line with the federal ban that will take effect in November.

“Rather than allowing an ambiguous market to put people at risk, Illinois is taking steps to protect consumers of all ages, especially children, from misleading packaging and labeling,” Pritzker said in a press release. “This landmark legislation closes the intoxicating cannabis loophole while strengthening equity and oversight and expanding medical access. Illinois is committed to cultivating a cannabis industry that benefits diverse businesses across the state and prioritizes accessibility, and I’m proud to sign this measure into law.”

Illinois continues to set the standard for opportunity, equity and safety in the adult cannabis industry.

Today, I’m signing legislation to ban the intoxicated sale of marijuana to people under the age of 21 to protect our children, simplify licensing, and strengthen oversight. pic.twitter.com/HEnEdSWe7e

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) June 12, 2026

Among other changes, the bill also allows for drive-thru and curbside pickup at dispensaries, allows them to stay open until 2 a.m., and allows medical cannabis certificates to be issued via telehealth.

The hood limits of craft cannabis growers will be expanded to between 5,000 and 14,000 square meters, and the new the law loosens some security requirements for marijuana companies, and also waives or reduces fees for smaller operators.

In 2019, the Pritzker signed the state’s initial marijuana legalization policy.

While broader restrictions on hemp products take effect in the state on Nov. 12, along with a similar federal move, sales to people under the age of 21 are immediately prohibited,

The legislation allows all marijuana dispensaries to register individually to specifically sell medical cannabis. The list of conditions for medical marijuana is also expanding to include female orgasmic disorder, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids.

“Illinois has led the nation in building a cannabis industry that prioritizes equity and public safety, and SB 3222 builds on that progress,” Governor Juliana Stratton said. he said. “By protecting young people from intoxicating unregulated hemp products and creating clear standards for the industry, we’re ensuring consumers are safer while maintaining opportunities for diverse businesses and communities across our state.”

Mike Latimer’s photo.

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

Shining a spotlight on compliance and innovation at Cannabis Expo Johannesburg 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

admin

On May 29, 2026, global cannabis technology company CannBro was invited to the Cannabis Expo in Johannesburg to share insights on emerging cannabis-related medical applications and supply chain strategies in the cannabis markets.

At the event, CannBro highlighted its partnership with the CHEEBA Cannabis Academy to promote industry education, compliance awareness and the development of regulatory standards in emerging cannabis markets. The company highlighted the importance of establishing strong regulatory and compliance frameworks for the sustainable growth of the industry.

As a company certified with ISO 13485 and GMP, CannBro actively explores medical cannabis applications and collaborates with health organizations to discuss potential clinical research and CBD product applications.

CannBro also introduced the “Factory Pricing + Local Stock” strategy, combining manufacturing capabilities in China with warehouses located overseas, enabling efficient delivery of local inventory. The company currently operates warehouses in the United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa and has helped more than 150 customers with local stock delivery solutions that reduce costs and improve inventory turnover.

In addition, CannBro visited local cannabis cultivation facilities to learn about the evolution of the South African market and explore potential partnerships for cultivation, medical applications and product development.

Andy Zhao, CEO of CannBro, said: “As the global cannabis market matures, fulfillment and medical applications will become key drivers of sustainable growth. CannBro remains committed to advancing the industry through education, medical research and supply chain innovation.”

For more information:
CannBro Technology
Email: (email protected)
www.cannbro.com