Melissa Lavasani & Jay Kopelman: Federal Psychedelic Policy, VA Pathways, and Ibogaine Safety Standards

Federal psychedelic policy in Washington should prioritize a VA pathway for veterans and first responders. Melissa Lavasani and Jay Kopelman discuss how the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition and Mission Within Foundation engage Capitol Hill, coordinate messaging, and push veteran-focused legislation as a realistic first lane for psychedelic-assisted care. They frame the VA as a closed healthcare system that can pilot programs, collect data, refine protocols, and avoid some market pressures that exist in private care. They also outline operational safety requirements for scaling psychedelic care: standardized screening and monitoring across providers, clinician training pathways, and integration support rather than medication-only models. The conversation includes safety concerns raised by negative headlines involving ibogaine treatment abroad, emphasizing the need for shared learning and transparent review of adverse events to build federal confidence.