President Trump Orders Agencies to Accelerate Research on Psychedelic Drugs

President Trump, on April 18, ordered federal agencies to speed up research into the potential therapeutic uses of illegal psychedelic compounds, including LSD, peyote and MDMA. The directive occurred during an Oval Office ceremony. Trump, described as a law-and-order Republican and lifelong teetotaler, supported exploring these substances despite their federal prohibition.

For decades, conservatives opposed drugs like psilocybin and LSD. In 1970, former President Richard Nixon designated psychedelics as a highly restricted category under federal law, labeling them as a major public concern. Subsequent conservative politicians maintained this stance, viewing the substances as intoxicants associated with certain social groups.

Last month, the Justice Department, following the president's direction, eased restrictions on medical marijuana. This action, combined with the recent order on psychedelics, indicates a change in the administration's position on certain controlled substances. The developments mark a departure from the prohibitive policies established in the 1970s.

Dimitri Mugianis, an underground practitioner prosecuted for using ibogaine to treat a heroin addict, commented on the White House event. " — Dimitri Mugianis (The New York Times) The source reported that conservatives historically saw psychedelics as morally corrupting.

The current administration's initiatives aim to explore medical applications, potentially affecting research timelines and regulatory frameworks. Further details on implementation were not specified in the report.