Imagine a treatment capable of relieving 67 % of patients with severe post-traumatic stress (PTSD) by combining MDMA and therapy, according to a 2021 study by maps. Yet, despite these promises, psychedelics and MDMA or the psilocybin remain stuck in a legislative labyrinth in the United States. Under the Trump administration (2017-2021), then in its wake until 2024, federal policy oscillated between timid advances and stubborn blockages. This article explores the evolution of the "Trump Psychedelic Policy", the impact on research and reforms in republican states, while projecting the challenges to come. Activists and curious, plunge into this saga where science, political and ethics intersect.
Historical context: psychedelics before Trump
Obama policies
Before Donald Trump's arrival, federal policy on psychedelics was largely frozen in the heritage of the "drug war" launched under Nixon. Under Barack Obama (2009-2017), substances such as MDMA and Psilocybine remained classified SCHEDULE I - drugs without recognized medical use and at high risk of abuse, according to the DRUG ENDRENCE ADMINISTRATION (DEA). However, a slight thaw was coming up. In 2016, the DEA authorized pilot studies on the MDMA for the PTSD, a prudent first step towards scientific recognition. Despite this, the Déchaduling (withdrawal from the list of controlled substances) was not on the agenda, slowed down by bureaucratic inertia and political distrust.
Research state before 2017
Before 2017, psychedelic research was a niche domain, supported by private funds such as those of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). The budgets of National Institutes of Health (NIH) For these studies were thin, not exceeding a few million annuals. However, breakthroughs were emerging: clinical trials showed that psilocybin helped patients at the end of life manage anxiety, while MDMA offered promising results for veterans with PTSD. However, these advances remained marginal, hampered by the FDA rigid approval process and DEA restrictions.
Federal policies under Trump: between support and resistance
Increase in research budgets (e.g. NIH 2020)
Under Trump, psychedelic research experienced an unexpected upturn. In 2020, the NIH saw its budget for psychedelic studies climbing, going from $ 20 million in 2017 to almost 35 million in 2023, according to federal reports. This increase reflected a bipartisan interest in innovative solutions in the face of the mental health crisis, especially among veterans. The FDA also granted the status of "revolutionary therapy" to the MDMA in 2017 and to Psilocybine in 2018, accelerating clinical trials. Donald Trump Jr., in 2023, even said on X : « Psychedelics could transform mental health - why block them? »
To read: The psychedelics in question: psilocybin, ketamine and the experience of Elon Musk
Legislative blockages (e.g. refusal of Déchaduling)
Despite these advances, the hopes of Déchaduling came up against a wall. In 2019, DEA, under the direction of Chuck Rosenberg, said : « The evidence does not justify a reclassification of the diaxles I Drugs like psilocybin. This conservative position, anchored in anti-drug rhetoric, continued under Trump. In 2024, the FDA rejected a request for approval from the MDMA for the PTSD, demanding additional trials despite the data from MAPs showing significant efficiency. These blockages illustrate a tension between scientific innovation and political prudence.
Actions of the republican states post-20121
Reforms in Texas and Ohio
After 2021, some Republican states took the lead, influenced by Trump's ambivalent heritage. In Texas, a law of 2021 has authorized studies on psilocybin for veterans, carried by legislators like Morgan Luttrell. In Ohio, similar initiatives emerged in 2023, with MDMA pilot projects. These reforms, although limited, reflect local pragmatism in the face of federal failures. "The red states show the way where Washington fails," notes Rick Doblin, founder of Maps.
Influence of Trump inheritance
Trump's heritage - a mixture of deregulation and conservatism - has created fertile land for these initiatives. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., close to Trump in 2024, amplified the pro-Psychedelic discourse, criticizing the "aggressive suppression" by the FDA. However, opponents, such as an anti-drug conservative group in 2023, warn: "Opening the door to psychedelics risks a new addiction crisis. This polarization still shapes the debate.
Future perspectives and challenges
Marketing and ethics: the risks of Big Pharma
Big Pharma's entry into the psychedelic sector raises concerns. If the MDMA or the psilocybin are approved, their marketing could limit access to the most disadvantaged, transforming promising therapy into luxury product. In 2024, companies like Lykos Therapeutics, linked to Maps, already aroused criticism for their links with the traditional pharmaceutical industry. Activists fear a sacrificed ethics for the benefit, a risk that deregulation under Trump could worsen.
Projections for 2025 and beyond
In 2025, a new Trump administration could accelerate research, carried by allies like Kennedy. However, without Déchaduling, blockages will persist. Republican states, like Texas, could expand their programs, but federal harmonization remains uncertain. A 2024 MAPS study predicts that, by 2030, psychedelics could deal with 20 % of PTSD cases if the barriers fall. The challenge? Balance innovation and security.
Faq
- Is the MDMA legal under Trump?
- No, it remains a substance SCHEDULE I, although research has progressed under its administration.
- What republican states support psychedelics?
- Texas and Ohio launched reforms in 2021-2023, focused on veterans.
- Why does the FDA block MDMA?
- In 2024, she considered it insufficient data, demanding more tests to guarantee security and efficiency.
Graphic: NIH budgets for psychedelic research (2017-2024)
- 2017: $ 20 million
- 2020: $ 28 million
- 2023: $ 35 million
(Source : Nih.gov)
Table: laws in republican states
| State |
Year |
Reform |
Current status |
| Texas |
2021 |
Veterans Psilocybine Studies |
In progress |
| Ohio |
2023 |
MDMA drivers |
Active proposal |
In conclusion
The legalization of psychedelics stagnates, but you can change the situation. Find out about scientific advances, participate in petitions like those of Decriminalize Nature, or contact your representatives to support psychedelic research. Together, let's advance this therapeutic revolution!
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Warning : This article analyzes historical facts and does not promote any illegal use.
