In a shift that few could have anticipated just a few years ago, a Republican Administration, long associated with the War on Drugs, may now be helping to lead a federal reexamination of psychedelic policy.

Once dismissed as fringe or countercultural, psychedelic therapy is gaining momentum in Washington, bolstered by prominent figures aligned with the Trump administration, including, most notably, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert Kennedy Jr. A mix of libertarian values, deregulatory instincts, and growing scientific evidence—particularly in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—is fueling a movement that transcends traditional partisan lines.

From persistent litigator against federal drug policy to policy insider: Matt Zorn’s role at HHS

Among the most striking signs of this transformation is the appointment of Matt Zorn as Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Zorn built a reputation as a relentless legal advocate, suing federal agencies to increase transparency around drug policy and access. He successfully compelled the government to release its marijuana rescheduling recommendation and championed terminal patients’ rights to psilocybin therapy.

Now working from within the agency he once challenged, Zorn is reportedly a central figure in shaping psychedelic policy in his role as the Administration’s unofficial “psychedelic czar.” His transition from adversary to architect illustrates just how much the political calculus around these substances has changed and a welcome sign for supporters of psychedelic therapies.

RFK Jr. brings psychedelics into federal health planning

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly embraced psychedelic reform for several years. In recent congressional testimony, he stated his intent to bring psychedelic therapies into clinical use within one year. On the campaign trail, he proposed taxing these substances to fund state-run “healing centers,” where patients could recover from addiction and engage in agricultural rehabilitation.

Kennedy’s holistic approach reflects growing public and professional support for psychedelics as more than just experimental treatments—they’re being positioned as essential components of integrated mental health care.

Surgeon General nominee and FDA Commissioner join the chorus

Dr. Casey Means, nominated by the Administration for Surgeon General, has described her own guided psilocybin experience as profoundly meaningful. In her 2024 book, Good Energy, she encouraged readers to consider such therapy as a tool for emotional and mental wellness. Her brother, Calley Means, a health adviser to Trump, has publicly credited psychedelics with changing his life and has invested heavily in the emerging industry.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has likewise identified psychedelic medicine as a “top priority,” especially in relation to veterans’ mental health—an issue that garners bipartisan urgency.

Why does the Administration appear to be backing psychedelics now?

Several key factors help explain the Administration’s evolving position on psychedelics:

1. Libertarian influence on personal autonomy
   Within the broader MAGA movement and its tech-industry backers, psychedelics are increasingly viewed through a lens of individual liberty. Public figures like Elon Musk have helped normalize their use, framing access as a matter of personal freedom rather than moral deviance.

2. Regulatory skepticism as a policy driver
   Republican lawmakers have long criticized federal overreach. Current drug restrictions are being reinterpreted not as necessary protections, but as outdated barriers to promising medical treatments. Streamlining FDA processes is now seen as part of a broader deregulatory push.

3. Scientific validation, especially for veterans
   The data is increasingly difficult to ignore. Phase 3 trials conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) found that over 70% of participants receiving MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria after treatment. Several other high profile research centers, such as John Hopkins Cener for Psychedelics and Consciousness, continue their groundbreaking research on the use of psychedelics to treat a number of mental health conditions.  These results, particularly among veterans, resonate with lawmakers concerned about mental health care access for service members.

The Lykos setback and the road ahead

In August 2024, Lykos Therapeutics, in partnership with MAPS, submitted an application to the FDA for MDMA-assisted therapy. The agency declined, citing concerns with trial methodology and data integrity. Critics argue this was a missed opportunity to approve the therapy with appropriate guardrails and post-market oversight.

Nevertheless, Lykos is preparing to address the FDA’s concerns with additional trials. With vocal support from HHS leadership and renewed political momentum, it’s likely the application will return—and may be received more favorably next time.

A post-partisan moment?

While the Biden administration provided limited support for psychedelic research, including early-stage trial approvals and modest NIH grants, it never positioned the issue as a policy priority. In contrast, the Trump-era team is placing psychedelic medicine front and center, suggesting that this could become one of the few areas of bipartisan innovation in U.S. health policy.

The efforts to legalize psychedelics for therapeutic use are not limited to the executive branch.  In 2022, two congressmen—Democrat Lou Correa (D-CA) and Republican Jack Bergman (R-MI)—launched the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Clinical Treatments (PACT) Caucus. The PACT Caucus’ purpose is to find ways alleviate the national mental health crisis through psychedelic science and research.  Congressman Bergman—a Marine veteran—recently spoke about his PACT’s efforts at MAPS’ Psychedelic Sciences Conference, along with a host of other current and former government officials, including former Senator Kyrsten Sinema and former Texas Governor Rick Perry.

If current trends continue, the current Administration may come to be viewed not as an obstacle to drug reform, but as a surprising engine behind one of the most transformative movements in mental health treatment.

Bianchi & Brandt will continue to monitor legal developments in the growing area of psychedelic sciences. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.