On April 22, 2025, a Texas House committee reviewed two bills aimed at accelerating access to psychedelic therapy for mental health treatment, pending approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The first bill, HB 4014, proposes a state-funded study to evaluate the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating conditions such as PTSD and depression. This initiative will be conducted in partnership with researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will be tasked with making recommendations to ensure legal access to these therapies once they receive FDA approval.
The second bill, HB 4813, aims to align state regulations with any federal reclassification of substances like psilocybin. Rep. Tom Oliverson (R), the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the importance of minimizing delays in access to these promising treatments. He stated that both psilocybin and MDMA are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials and may soon be FDA-approved.
During the committee hearing, no action was taken on either bill, but proponents expressed urgency in preparing for potential FDA approval. Rep. John Bucy III (D), who sponsors HB 4014, highlighted the need for Texas to be ready for implementation, stating, “This is going to happen. This is coming.”
The proposed study will assess clinical trials and existing research on psychedelics, focusing on substances like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine. The DSHS is expected to produce a report by December 1, 2026, detailing necessary legislative actions to facilitate patient access to these therapies.
A companion bill, SB 3005, introduced by Sen. Cesar Blanco (D), is pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Oliverson reiterated the goal of HB 4813, stating, “All we’re seeking to do is to amend statute to accelerate that process for these very promising compounds that have been shown to be very effective in these conditions.” He noted the importance of immediate reclassification of drugs once the federal government lowers their penalty classification.
Lynnette Averill, a Baylor College professor, voiced support for the bills, citing a previous Texas law that initiated research on psychedelics for veterans with PTSD. She argued the need to expedite access to these therapies, especially during a mental health crisis.
Amid discussions on the bills, Rep. Mike Olcott (R) raised concerns about the potential for the state to lose its regulatory independence by automatically following federal guidelines. He suggested implementing a requirement for state-level review within a specified timeframe after any federal changes.
In addition to the discussions on psychedelic therapy, the Texas legislature recently faced a setback regarding local marijuana decriminalization efforts. An appellate court ruled in favor of the state, effectively invalidating a local law in San Marcos that had been approved by 81% of voters. This ruling complicates ongoing attempts to reform marijuana policies at the local level, as Texas activists aim to introduce similar initiatives in other cities, such as Kyle.
Moreover, the Texas Senate approved a bill perceived by cannabis advocates as potentially harmful to the state’s hemp industry, prohibiting any THC in consumable hemp products. Other legislative proposals include measures to decriminalize cannabis statewide and modifications to existing medical marijuana laws, reflecting ongoing efforts to reform cannabis policy in Texas following previous legislative sessions’ stalled initiatives.
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