In spite of recent research that shows today’s cannabis and mushroom use is leading to psychotic episodes, Anchorage Democrat Sen. Forrest Dunbar and Democrat Rep. Jennie Armstrong believe that drugs like psilocybin and LSD should be used to treat mental health. Neither are health professionals or have any credentials that would lend credence to their claims. Both are freshmen legislators, and Dunbar is powerful in the Senate as a member of the Democrat-dominated majority and chair of the Community and Regional Affairs Committee, while Armstrong is in the House minority but is part of the “Freshmen Caucus,” which is trying to undermine Republican House Speaker Cathy Tilton.
The two Anchorage Democrats introduced companion legislation to establish an “Alaska Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force” to address Alaska‘s “ongoing mental health crisis.”
The task force would have a membership consisting of politically appointed commissioners (or their designee) from the Departments of Health, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Commerce Community and Economic Development, specialists from the mental health community, advocates from domestic violence and sexual assault survivor organizations, representatives from the Alaska Native health community, and state lawmakers. The body would be joined by “psychedelic healthcare professionals.” Members would be paid per diem and travel expenses for their meetings from the state budget.
The task force would focus on four main goals: “Assess the potential role of psychedelic medicine in mental health treatment, identify barriers to implementation and equitable access, formulate licensing and insurance requirements for healthcare practitioners, and explore legal and regulatory frameworks for the legalization and public health implications of psychedelic medicines.”
“We have an ongoing mental health crisis in Alaska from the highest rates of domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, military suicides, and homelessness. There have been numerous positive outcomes with the controlled use of psychedelics throughout the nation, and it is time to explore all the tools in the toolbox if we want to resolve many of the mental health issues Alaskans face daily,” said Sen. Dunbar. “As we shift our thinking and approach to mental health treatment, Alaska can be at the forefront of new treatment options and improve the quality of life for those suffering through mental health dilemmas and their families.”
In October, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was sitting in a jump seat tried to open an exit while a flight was airborne. Later it was determined that the man had been using psychedelic mushrooms in days leading up to the fight, although not on the day of the flight.
Studies also show that frequent use of marijuana can lead to psychotic episodes. Marijuana was made largely legal in Alaska after voters passed Ballot Measure in 2014; mental health in the state has deteriorated since it went into effect in 2015, some Alaskans have pointed out.
The National Institutes of Health reports, “There is now reasonable evidence from longitudinal studies that regular cannabis use predicts an increased risk of schizophrenia.” How these mental health issues would be treated with psychedelics is a new frontier for a state that already has significant drug-abuse problems.
But Dunbar and Armstrong say that clinical research for therapeutic uses of psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA for anxiety, addiction, and PTSD have shown positive outcomes “with limited adverse effects, leading toward advanced medical education, research, and public policy.”
It’s full speed ahead for Dunbar and Armstrong. SB 166 and HB 228. They argue that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funds research on psychedelics, such as MDMA and psilocybin, for treating PTSD and depression in veterans. Taxpayers are paying for this research.
“The move follows the Federal Drug Administration’s breakthrough status, allowing accelerated clinical trials, in turn piquing interest from veterans, researchers, and lawmakers,” according to Dunbar.
The proposed task force would be required to meet at least four times in 2024 and submit a detailed findings and recommendations report to the legislature and the governor by Dec. 31, 2024. The Legislature convenes on Tuesday, at which time pre-filed bills such as SB 166 and HB 228 will be assigned to committees.
