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Bipartisan Lawmakers Warn That Even One Mistake In Push For Psychedelics Access Could Derail Progress

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4 weeks ago

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Bipartisan lawmakers are stressing the importance of strategically advancing psychedelic reform in a way that mitigates bureaucratic conflicts and the influence of outside interests. Even a single mistake could threaten to turn the movement upside down, they say.

In a public forum in Washington, DC – organized by the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (PMC) and the Mission Within Foundation (MWF) last week. Lou Correa (D-CA), Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) spoke about the work ahead to provide patients with access to psychedelics.

Much of the focus centered around the need to provide military veterans with alternative treatments for serious mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychedelics like MDMA and ibogaine can help fill that gap, lawmakers said.

Luttrell said a key challenge facing proponents is the lack of availability of data from private research organizations that can demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics; in his view, it would move the needle for members on the fence on the issue.

The congressman said he and his colleagues have spoken to the Department of Defense (DOD), the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about the issue.

“How do you get into those organizations, use the data to do research, push that forward and make changes that really improve people’s lives?” he said they have asked the agencies.

“When we talk about the effects of ibogaine, it’s amazing,” Luttrell, a veteran himself, who has been open about his experience of going abroad to use psychedelics To treat conflict-related mental health conditions, he said.

“The results of these medications are profound in the veteran community, and the entities charged with caring for our veterans are not moving on that,” he said. “So, yes, there is a problem.”

“How are we going to fix it? We’re working on it every day, but the United States government continues to get its way,” he said. “Until the day I leave, I’m going to keep talking to my colleagues left, right and center because they’re trying to get this done. Make no mistake, it’s a tricky road we’re walking. If we push hard and screw this up, that’s how it’s gone.”

Correa, who along with Bergman co-chairs the Congressional Psychedelic Advanced Therapies (PATH) Caucus, also criticized the government for dragging its feet on the issue, given the prevalence of suicides among the veteran population.

Given the link between mental illness and homelessness, substance misuse and other societal problems, the congressman said it was unacceptable that more promotion of psychedelic therapies was not being done to help those who benefited from the new drugs. And that makes it all the more impressive that lawmakers across the aisle on Capitol Hill are making more progress.

“To see what we have in front of us today, in my opinion, is nothing short of a miracle,” said Correa. “We have invented a cure, a cure for a great challenge we face in society.”

But like the other panelists at the public forum, he added a caveat: “We can’t mess it up.”

“We need to move very aggressively because the voters need it. Our veterans needed it yesterday, not today. And again, I’ll use a statistic: 20 to 40 lives are lost every day to suicide. We need to move,” he said.

Bergman, for his part, “if the systems, the bureaucracies, compete against themselves, we have a problem”.

“What we’re dealing with here as legislators is a series of bureaucratic silos that have been built up over time — not only do they not know what’s going on in others, but they compete silently for resources and funding so that bureaucracy can continue to do what it does,” he said. “Our role as members of Congress is to be where natural competition—healthy competition—is needed.

“The challenge is dealing with bureaucracy competing for limited resources. It’s up to us, as a legislature, to pass good laws and fund appropriations that support research, find better ways, advance therapies and actually implement them for the betterment of patients. The subtle part for us is to make sure that we don’t waste time and money in unnecessary competition within government.”

Luttrell added that “most members of the House of Representatives do not know what this is,” referring to psychedelic therapy.

“For those who do, it’s very taboo,” he said. “We’ve had conversations with members of Congress that, not too long ago, people were going to jail for this. That’s history. And now we’re taking this position here, that’s no longer the case.”

“When we talk to members of Congress, explain, show numbers, show testimony and results, some of them have an ‘aha’ moment. And that helps us move legislation,” said the congressman.

But he reiterated, “If we screw this up, if one member blows this up, it’s gone.”

“Can you hear me? If a member of Congress completely breaks it, we’re going to push to a new low. That’s dangerous,” Luttrell said. “If you’re not beating yourself up about it being the most profound drug on the planet that can literally change lives, especially under this cognitive umbrella and these addiction problems that we have, then you’re missing out. It’s amazing. Literally amazing.”

Bergman agreed with his colleague’s broader point, saying that “some of our members are very dangerous,” and that applies to psychedelics despite growing bipartisanship on the issue.

“When you combine that with bureaucracies that are inherently risky, you get a piece of the puzzle. But you also have to consider who loses, or feels like they lose, if we succeed and if these breakthrough therapies move forward,” he said.

The congressman believed that special interests outside the psychedelic space have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of prohibition and research restrictions on novel therapeutics.

“So you have natural opposition. I won’t name names, but it’s there, and they’ll try to influence the process. Most of us here are old enough to remember a little character whispering in your ear on one shoulder and another character whispering something else on the other shoulder, trying to influence you.”

“It’s part of the reality that you have to take into account. Our mission is more than a team effort. It’s to overcome the concerns of people who don’t know, but want to give this a chance,” said Bergman, adding that he’s still “confident that we’re on the right track, especially with research.”

“This is about standing over time. I’m not going to let it go,” he said. “One by one, something is going to happen that creates an ‘aha’ moment for people who are on the fence right now, and that’s okay. We’re going to get through it. We can’t quit. We just have to keep moving forward.”

Other speakers at the event included MWF CEO Jay Kopelman, PMC founder Melissa Lavasani and Crossroads Treatment Center founder Martín Polanco.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi recently missed a deadline set by Congress. guidelines to ease barriers to research on Schedule I substances such as marijuana and psychedelics.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), for its part, has separately set quotas for the legal production of controlled substances in 2026, more. increasing the number of certain psychedelics that can be made for research purposes this year

Late last year, the VA faced criticism after rejecting an organization’s grant application It helps connect veterans to programs overseas where they can receive psychedelic therapy to treat serious mental health conditions.

A former US senator says he recently spoke with the heads of the VA and HHS about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like ibogaine, and Both members of Trump’s cabinet welcomed reform on the issue.

While former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) noted that Collins was not particularly familiar with psychedelic therapy before joining the Trump administration, the secretary has become one of the most vocal supporters of advancing reform to ease access for veterans.

In July, for example, VA Secretary He proclaimed his mission to promote access to psychedelics for veterans with serious mental health conditions, it was possible to say that it “opened that door wider than most probably thought”.

user photo CostaPPR.

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General Assembly advances cannabis retail framework

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9 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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After years of vetoing the General Assembly, legislation to create a legal adult cannabis market in Virginia passed both chambers on Tuesday, this time ready for a governor’s signature and retail sales to begin in November. The votes provide the clearest sign yet that Virginia is ready to move from legal ownership to a fully regulated no-sale market, a transition that has eluded the commonwealth since 2021, when lawmakers legalized simple ownership.

On Tuesday morning, the House passed House Bill 642, Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, by a vote of 65-32. A few hours later, the Senate passed House Bill 542 by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, R-Petersburg, by a narrow 21-19 margin, after a failed initial vote.

Similar proposals have cleared the General Assembly in recent years—often with bipartisan support—but were repeatedly vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin. This year, the political calculation has changed. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vowed to sign legislation establishing a regulated retail market.

Under Krizek’s bill, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would administer the retail system, with no retail sales permitted before November 1, 2026. “It’s about fixing a situation that isn’t working,” he said, noting that while it is legal for adults to possess cannabis, retail sales remain unregulated.

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Rhode Island Marijuana Regulators Weigh How To Award New Dispensary Licenses

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9 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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“It is unfair to everyone who has invested time, money and attention in this process. We ask that there be no delay.”

By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant

State cannabis regulators have yet to decide how they will handle the allocation of 20 retail cannabis licenses to applicants selected by lottery before May.

The state planned to issue 24 licenses but reduced the number based on the distribution of applicants among the state’s six geographic areas. A total of 98 applications were submitted by the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Board’s December 29, 2025 deadline. One has since been withdrawn, Rhode Island Cannabis Administrator Michelle Reddish told the board at Friday’s monthly meeting.

A second applicant withdrew after the meeting, Cannabis Control Board spokesman Charon Rose confirmed Tuesday.

Commission staff are still reviewing applicants’ qualifications before they enter the final lottery that will award retail licenses. A breakdown of applicants available on the commission’s website shows that more than half — 56 — are seeking general retail licenses. Another 19 were cooperative workers and the remaining 23 were for social equity applicants, or those affected by the war on drugs.

State regulations passed last year set a maximum of four retailers zoneat least one license designated for a social equity applicant, and for a worker-owned cooperative.

Nearly a third of all retail license applications — 31 — were in Zone 6, along with all of Pawtucket, East Providence, Bristol and Newport counties.

Zone 1, which covers Burrillville, Cumberland, Glocester, North Smithfield and Smithfield, saw only two applications, both for social equity licenses. Applicants that did fall back were Die of Laughter, which applied to Zone 5, and Green Dolphin, which applied to Zone 4.

At the committee’s Friday meeting, the committee raised the possibility of phasing out the license release.

“Many stakeholders have raised the issue that if all potential licenses come online at the same time, the price of the product could drop so quickly that no one would win,” said Commissioner Robert Jacquard.

Kevin Rouleau, chief operating officer of Portsmouth-based Newport Cannabis Company, warned that a rapid saturation of the state’s small market could lead to a “race to the bottom” as more established businesses like his try to survive the new competition.

“This is going to hurt everybody, especially farmers who get pennies on the dollar for their produce,” Rouleau said.

The cultivators who participated in the meeting did not feel that way.

“We’re absolutely fine moving forward with the retail stores and we’re not concerned about that outcome,” Rhode Island Growers Association representative Nicholas Lacroix told the commission during the public comment period.

However, Reddish was concerned that the rapid expansion could lead to problems that have occurred in other states.

Cannabis revenue in Michigan fell in 2025, despite record total sales, driven by falling prices. The Oregon market has come under increased pressure from large harvests and low wholesale prices. In Massachusetts, merchants describe a “race to the bottom” that has wiped out many businesses from their market.

“Based on these examples, there is a need to discuss whether the commission should use its ability to take proactive steps to support a stable and successful cannabis industry, prepare to respond to market changes in real time and adjust course if necessary,” he said.

But attorney Allan Fung, a former Cranston mayor and former GOP congressional and gubernatorial candidate, appeared on behalf of several candidates. the applicantshe said that the market should ultimately be the entity that dictates price and competition.

“It’s unfair to everyone who has invested time, money and attention in this process,” Fung told commissioners. “We ask that there be no delay.”

It has already been a slow road for the state to establish its own recreational cannabis market. More than a year passed before the three-member committee was inaugurated in June 2023. The commission had to hire staff to write proposals and review rules adopted in other states. Rhode Island’s rules governing retail cannabis were finally approved in May 2025. Chairman Kim Ahern stepped down last October to become attorney general, and Gov. Dan McKee (D) has yet to name a successor.

Meanwhile, eight medical dispensaries in the state have been authorized to sell recreational cannabis under hybrid licenses.

“The only people who benefit from these dispensaries being slow are the current dispensaries who have a monopoly on the cannabis market,” said Spencer Blier, director of Warwick-based Mammoth Inc. CEO and founder of cultivator.

Because few applications were submitted for Zone 1, Reddish informed the board on Jan. 16. the meeting that regulators would issue up to 20 licenses statewide.

“Depending on how the application process is completed, that number may decrease,” Reddish said Friday.

Starting Jan. 1, the state Office of Cannabis had 90 days to review applications and confirm they met eligibility requirements before entering a lottery, according to a schedule approved by the commission at its Oct. 20 meeting.

Applicants must still obtain the necessary local approvals to enter the random drawing. Regulators aimed to start issuing licenses before May, although the regulations do not specify how many will be issued at one time.

The commissioners did not vote on Friday. The board decided to decide how many licenses to grant at a time for a future meeting.

The next meeting organized by the committee is Friday, March 20, at 1:00 p.m.

This story was first published by the Rhode Island Currant.

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Curaleaf secures $500M financing, extends debt maturity to 2029

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1 day ago

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February 20, 2026

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Curaleaf Holdings has closed a $500 million private debt financing, refinancing existing obligations and extending the maturity of the debt by more than two years.

The company issued senior secured notes with an interest rate of 11.5%, due in February 2029. At the same time, Curaleaf repaid $475 million in prepayments due in December 2026. According to the company, the transaction is non-dilutive and was completed at par.

The refinancing effectively pushes Curaleaf’s near-term debt obligations further down the road, giving the company additional runway as it continues to operate in multiple international cannabis markets. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to support global growth initiatives, as well as to cover transaction-related costs.

© Curaleaf

“This financing strengthens our balance sheet and gives us greater flexibility to execute our long-term strategy,” said Boris Jordan, President and CEO of Curaleaf. He described the deal as the largest bond offering completed in the cannabis sector to date, and pointed to renewed interest from institutional investors as a sign of increased confidence in the industry.

The notes pay interest annually and are secured against the company’s assets. The financing structure also allows for debt issuance under certain leverage conditions, along with $100 million in senior bank financing.

The private placement was conducted under existing securities law exemptions in Canada and the United States and was led by Seaport Global Securities, with ATB Cormark Capital Markets acting as placement agent.

For more information:
Curaleaf
(email protected)
curaleaf.com



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