New House Bill Marks Significant Shift in Congressional Openness to Psychedelic Research
MAPS Awarded $12.9 Grant from Michigan to Expand Cannabis Research for Veterans with PTSD
August 19, 2021
Dear friends and supporters,
Did you know that essentially all funding for breakthrough-designated MDMA and cannabis studies has beenprovided by philanthropic donors? Making MDMA-assisted therapy available and accessible will be accomplished by you — the generous donors to MAPS.
More than 20 years after our research began, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a step that may, eventually, lead to support for post-approval research of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. The report for House Resolution 4502 directs the National Institute of Health (NIH) agencies to, for the first time, undertake and fund research into psychedelic-assisted therapies and potential benefits of cannabis The bill passed the House in late July and will next be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. If passed and enacted, some of the nearly $150 million of funding allocated to PTSD research may eventually advance research into psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD. Read our full announcement for more information.
On August 10, we were honored to be awarded a $12,979,050 grant from Michigan’s $20 million competitive 2021 Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program. The program, which is funded by adult-use marijuana retail taxes, is designed to evaluate “the efficacy of marijuana in treating the medical conditions of United States armed services veterans and preventing veteran suicide.” The grant will fund our Phase 2 clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of cannabis against placebo for treatment of PTSD among Veterans. We extend our gratitude to the state of Michigan and the Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program for this tremendous opportunity to continue our research. Read our announcement here.
Thanks to you, we’re advancing our shared vision of creating safe and legal opportunities for the uses of psychedelics and will continue to do so once MDMA and cannabis are accepted as medicines. We’d like to thank you for your support by offering you the option to safely and legally secure your future and protect your loved ones with FreeWill. FreeWill is a free, online resource that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will in 20 minutes or less. You can also bring the documents you create on FreeWill to your attorney and save time and money as you finalize your plan. You can even turn your support of MAPS into part of your legacy by including MAPS in your plans: write or update your will today using this link. If you have included a gift to us in your will or trust, we’d appreciate it if you would fill out this form to let us know. We would love to say thank you.
In Israel, the first participant was treated at our Phase 3 study site on July 25. The study is our second Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-site study to assess the efficacy and safety of manualized MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD. To learn more about this study, visit the study page on clinicaltrials.gov.
On September 1, join the Zendo Project at this year’s virtual Burning Man for EntheoGeneration, a psychedelic-inspired speaker series born at Burning Man in 2019. For this year’s virtual Burn, we will host a session focusing on community: best practices, stewardship, integration, integrity, accountability, and conflict resolution. Audri Scott Williams and Tony Moss will share their perspectives, insights, and wisdom during a two hour conversation which will be free and open to the public. Register here. Zendo Project Community Council will take place during virtual burn week on September 2 at 5:00 PM PT. Register here.
Our team is still seeking research volunteers for Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Trials are recruiting in Charleston, South Carolina; Boulder, Colorado; Fort Collins, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; San Francisco, California; and Tel Aviv, Israel. Volunteers should apply at mdmaptsd.org. Volunteers will help contribute to scientific knowledge and will help us better understand if MDMA-assisted therapy works for treatment of PTSD. MAPS conducts clinical trials under the guidance and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with federal regulators, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To learn more about our clinical trials or apply to be a study participant, visit our website.
In this edition of the MAPS Newsletter, you'll also learn:
- MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe are hiring!
- MAPS has a four-star rating, the highest possible rating, from Charity Navigator! Learn more about our accountability, transparency, and financial health.
- Save the date: MAPS is hosting Psychedelic Science 2023, a conference taking place from June 18-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado
Follow MAPS on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, and YouTube.
Have a fantastic end to your summer! Be sure to share the MAPS Newsletter with a friend.
With appreciation,
Amy Mastrine
MAPS Web and Email Marketing Associate
Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Seeking Research Volunteers
A Phase 1 Open-Label Study of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics in Subjects with Moderate Hepatic Impairment Compared to Matched Control Subjects with Normal Hepatic Function
MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: August 2021
MAPS Awarded $12.9 Million Grant from Michigan to Expand Cannabis Research for Veterans with PTSD
Support MAPS
July 2021 Giving Report: MAPS Raises Over $96,000 for Psychedelic Research and Education
We’re Hiring!
Psychedelic Peer Support
Zendo Project: EntheoGeneration and Community Council at Virtual Burning Man
Policy and Advocacy
MAPS Representatives Attend Congressman Dan Crenshaw’s 3rd Annual Healthcare Innovation Summit
MAPS in the Media
- MAPS Awarded $12.9 Million Grant from Michigan to Expand Cannabis Research for Veterans with PTSD
- U.S. House Appropriations Bill Signals Sea Change in Psychedelic, Cannabis Research
- Marijuana Moment: Michigan Spends $20M In Marijuana Revenue To Study Medical Cannabis For Veterans With PTSD
- Healthcare Innovation Summit 2021: Rick Doblin, Ph.D., and U.S. Army SGT(R) Jonathan Lubecky
- CNBC: Psychedelic Trips Could Soon Be Part of Therapy — Here’s What Those Sessions Will Look Like
- The Long Now Podcast: Rick Doblin, Ph.D.
- Lady Scientist Podcast: Alia Lilienstein, M.D., M.P.H., & Allison Coker, Ph.D.
- High Times: MAPS Organization Granted $12.9 Million to Study Cannabis and PTSD
Events
Browse our Event Calendar page for more opportunities.
Telluride Mushroom Festival, August 18-22, 2021, Telluride, Colorado
Psychedelic Coalition for Health: Virtual Psychedelic Medicine Symposium, August 28, September 11 and 25, 2021, Online
Understanding Ketamine for Clinicians, September 11-12, 2021, Online
INSIGHT 2021, September 9-12, 2021, Berlin, Germany
Psychedelia: The History and Science of Mystical Experience & The Way of the Psychonaut, October 2, 2021, Online
Psychedelic Science 2023, June 18-25, 2023, Denver, Colorado
Participate in Psychedelic Research
MDMA Studies Sponsored by MAPS
MAPS sponsors clinical trials around the world that offer volunteers the opportunity to participate in our research studies. Our studies have strict enrollment criteria based on the goal of the study and the condition the study is investigating.
Phase 3 MDMA/PTSD trial participant enrollment is now open. Please bookmark our Participate in Research page and check it frequently for updates.
More News
The Sage Institute is Hiring: Executive Director and Clinical Director (receiving applications until August 31)
Postdoctoral Fellowship: NYU Langone Psychedelic Research Training Program (Clinical or Preclinical)
Thank you to Dr. Bronner’s for their company’s support of the MAPS Newsletter!