Missouri lawmakers are watching federal action on psychedelic-assisted therapy with renewed interest after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new clinical trial evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The announcement comes as state legislators continue efforts to establish their own research programs, with federal backing now materializing through a presidential executive order.
Federal Momentum on Psychedelic Research
In April, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness” that aims to increase clinical trial participation and accelerate research on psychedelic drugs. The order directs the secretary of health and human services to allocate at least $50 million to support state governments “that have enacted or are developing programs to advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illnesses.” According to the VA’s announcement, the department is involved in 19 other active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions that are supported by more than $23 million in external funding.
The new VA trial, titled “A Randomized Controlled Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder in U.S. Veterans,” will enroll approximately 80 veterans and compare outcomes between those receiving MDMA-assisted therapy and those receiving identical psychotherapy with an active placebo. The trial will take place at VA Providence Healthcare System and VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut. MDMA is a synthetic substance also called “ecstasy” or “molly” in recreational use.
State-Level Stalled Efforts
Missouri state Rep. Dave Griffith, a Republican, spent five years advocating for legislation to allow clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Missouri. In his final legislative session before term-limiting out, his bill passed the House with overwhelming support but stalled in the Senate. Rep. Matthew Overcast expressed concern that without state legislation, Missouri will miss opportunities tied to federal funding. Overcast and Rep. Richard West sponsored legislation this year requiring the state to conduct a study on psilocybin- and ibogaine-assisted therapy.
The Trump executive order notes that for over 20 years there have been more than 6,000 veteran suicides per year, and the current veteran suicide rate is more than twice as much as the non-veteran adult population. Missouri veterans John and Kara Grady support expanded research access and cite the toll of mental health challenges on the veteran community.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://missouriindependent.com/2026/06/03/va-clinical-trial-on-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-gives-missouri-lawmakers-hope