House Committee Reviews Two Major Bills to Prepare Texas for Legal Psychedelic-Assisted Mental Health Treatment

On Monday, a Texas House committee reviewed two pivotal bills designed to position the state at the forefront of psychedelic therapy access, anticipating future approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). House Bill 4014 and House Bill 4813 aim to reduce regulatory delays and ensure prompt availability of mental health treatments involving substances like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine.

HB 4014 Proposes State-Backed Psychedelic Research to Treat PTSD and Depression

House Bill 4014, authored by Rep. John Bucy III, proposes a state-supported study on the therapeutic use of psychedelics in partnership with researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. The initiative focuses on evaluating MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental health disorders.

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would be responsible for reviewing clinical trials, assessing FDA developments, and evaluating treatment guidelines. A final report would be submitted by December 1, 2026, offering policy recommendations to guarantee affordable and accessible psychedelic therapies in Texas following federal approval. Considerations would include provider availability, licensure, affordability, and other regulatory requirements.

HB 4813 Aims to Align Texas Drug Classifications With Federal Scheduling to Avoid Delays

Rep. Tom Oliverson introduced House Bill 4813 to prevent unnecessary state-level delays following the FDA’s potential rescheduling of psychedelic substances. The bill ensures that once the FDA reclassifies a drug such as MDMA or psilocybin, Texas will promptly reflect that change in its own drug schedules, enabling quicker legal access for prescribing physicians.

The legislation is designed to eliminate prolonged bureaucratic hurdles that often delay patient access to life-saving therapies. As psychedelic compounds move into the final phases of clinical trials and approach likely FDA approval, the bill seeks to prepare Texas to respond without hesitation.

Medical Experts Urge State Lawmakers to Act Swiftly in Anticipation of FDA Psychedelic Approvals

Supporters of both bills testified that timely state action is critical to addressing a growing mental health crisis. Dr. Lynnette Averill, a researcher at Baylor College of Medicine and director at the Menninger Clinic, emphasized the need for scalable, regulated access to psychedelic treatments the moment they are federally permitted. She stated that Texas has already led the way with its 2021 psychedelic study bill focused on PTSD in veterans, and now has an opportunity to build on that progress.

She warned that delays in implementation could lead to unnecessary loss of life, especially among vulnerable populations such as military veterans and individuals resistant to conventional treatments.

Lawmakers Debate How to Balance Fast Action With State-Level Oversight

Rep. Mike Olcott raised the possibility of amending HB 4813 to avoid automatic alignment with federal drug reclassification. He suggested that instead of instantly mirroring federal decisions, Texas could institute a mandatory state review within a set timeframe—such as 30 days—after FDA rescheduling. This would preserve state sovereignty while still expediting the regulatory process.

Broader Drug Reform Efforts in Texas Face Legal Pushback and Legislative Challenges

While psychedelic therapy is gaining momentum in the Texas legislature, cannabis reform continues to face significant hurdles. Last week, a state appellate court sided with the state in a lawsuit against the city of San Marcos, striking down a voter-approved marijuana decriminalization measure. This decision reverses a lower court ruling and signals continued resistance to local cannabis reform initiatives.

Despite legal setbacks, activists are planning to push a similar marijuana decriminalization measure in the city of Kyle for the November 2025 ballot. Meanwhile, the Texas Senate recently passed a bill that would ban consumable hemp products containing any THC, a move seen as a threat to the state’s hemp industry.

Lawmakers have filed nearly two dozen cannabis-related proposals this session, including efforts to legalize adult-use marijuana, adjust medical cannabis laws, and reduce criminal penalties. Rep. Joe Moody reintroduced a marijuana decriminalization bill after a similar measure passed the House in 2023 but failed in the Senate.

Awaiting Committee Action and Senate Hearings

Neither HB 4014 nor HB 4813 has received a vote from the House Committee on Public Health yet. A companion bill to HB 4014, Senate Bill 3005, introduced by Sen. Cesar Blanco, has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

As FDA approval of psychedelic therapies nears, these legislative efforts aim to ensure that Texas is fully prepared to deliver timely and regulated access to potentially life-saving treatments for those most in need.