California Allocates $4.7 Million for Veteran Psychedelic Therapy Research

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- California has taken a significant step in advancing mental health treatment options for veterans with the signing of Assembly Bill 113 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation, which allocates $4.7 million to the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM), marks the first state investment in psychedelic-assisted therapy research for veterans in U.S. history.

The bill, which passed in the third consecutive year of veteran-led advocacy, is a result of sustained efforts by Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. VETS, founded in 2019, has been at the forefront of advocating for greater investment in research into treatments that may provide new options for veterans who have not found adequate relief through existing approaches.

The $4.7 million appropriation will be administered through CIAPM and is intended to support research focused on psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans. This investment is expected to help California build the scientific infrastructure and evidence base necessary to better understand the safety, effectiveness, and potential applications of these emerging treatments.

The passage of AB 113 builds on California's recent history of advancing psychedelic research policy. In October 2025, AB 1103 expedited the state's psychedelic research approval process, and in 2024, AB 2841 eliminated barriers to research in the state. Together, these efforts demonstrate sustained momentum toward developing a responsible, evidence-driven framework for psychedelic-assisted therapy research.

While the passage and signing of AB 113 represent a major achievement, VETS emphasized that the legislative milestone is not the finish line. The organization will continue working with policymakers, researchers, veterans, and partner organizations to ensure the appropriation is implemented effectively and that the intended research can move forward.

California, home to the largest total veteran population in the United States, with estimates ranging between 1.4 million and 1.8 million former service members, has committed meaningful state resources to studying emerging approaches to mental health treatment for those who have served. The passage of AB 113 is both a significant investment in California's veterans and a reflection of what sustained, veteran-led advocacy can accomplish.