The View from D.C.: Psychedelic Politics, Blockers and Approvals on the Horizon

Two weeks ago, I (Psychedelic Alpha Editor Josh Hardman) visited Washington, D.C., to take the temperature on psychedelics among those who, whether through influence, expertise, or proximity to power, might shape the field’s future. From lawyers, lobbyists and advocacy groups to agency staffers, drug developers and well-connected individuals, I heard a wide array of views on where things stand, and what might come next.

There is significant tumult not only across U.S. politics and the regulatory apparatus, but also within the psychedelics field itself, which does not appear to have landed on a clear or coordinated ‘ask’. But beneath the noise, there appeared to be a quiet confidence among some that multiple FDA approvals of psychedelics are close at hand, with as many as three possible over the next 18 months.

Here, I share the gist of what I learned, a couple of policy tweaks or clarifications that I have been mulling over, and other observations on how psychedelics are viewed in the nation’s capital...