Nevada lawmakers to consider bill for psychedelic therapy pilot program for veterans

The Nevada Assembly Health and Human Services Committee is set to review Assembly Bill 378, a proposed legislation aimed at establishing an Alternative Therapies Pilot Program for veterans and first responders.

The bill, backed by over a dozen lawmakers, will be presented Wednesday afternoon by Assemblymember Max Carter, Kate Cotter, executive director of the Nevada Center for Psychedelic Medicine (NCPM), and Jon Dalton, NCPM president and former Navy SEAL.

The proposed program seeks to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions. Modeled after similar initiatives in states like Utah, the bill outlines the use of substances such as psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, and mescaline under medical supervision.

Section 9 of the bill mandates the Division of Public and Behavioral Health to administer the program and develop experimental pilot clinic programs. The division is also tasked with adopting regulations, coordinating with other state agencies, and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines.

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The bill provides immunity from civil, criminal, and administrative liability for participants engaged in approved activities within the program. Additionally, it requires the division to authorize at least one person to cultivate and produce psychedelic substances for the program's use.

The legislation emphasizes confidentiality, mandating that any data collected must be securely maintained and reported annually to the Legislature. The bill also allows the division to accept funding and enter into contracts to support the program's implementation.