President Trump signs executive order to speed federal review and access to psychedelic therapies for veterans and others

President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate research, clinical review and potential rescheduling of certain psychedelic therapies, saying the move was aimed particularly at helping veterans with treatment‑resistant mental illness.

The order instructs the Food and Drug Administration to prioritize therapies that have received breakthrough‑therapy designation, improve data sharing with the Department of Veterans Affairs and coordinate rescheduling reviews after successful phase‑three trials, according to speakers at the signing. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the department will allocate at least $50 million from existing funds to partner with states advancing these therapies.

Why it matters: Supporters at the White House framed the order as a response to a mental‑health crisis that leaves millions with depression, PTSD and addiction unresponsive to current treatments. Proponents said rapid, science‑driven access could reduce suffering and long delays that have kept some patients seeking treatment abroad.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the event that the executive order "will remove the legal impediments that block American researchers, scientists, physicians, and clinicians from properly studying these medicines and, where appropriate, establishing protocols for their safe therapeutic use." He said HHS will coordinate with the DEA and Department of Justice on rescheduling reviews and with the VA on data sharing and research support.

FDA Commissioner Marty McCary said the agency will issue three national priority vouchers next week for serotonin 2A agonists, a class of medicines described in the remarks as psychedelics, and announced an initial investigational new drug clearance for a therapy referenced in the event. McCary said priority review under the voucher program can reduce approval timelines from years to weeks in some cases.

Voices from the field: Retired Navy SEAL Marcus Latrell and other veterans gave firsthand accounts of what they described as life‑changing benefits after undergoing the referenced therapies. Marcus Latrell said the treatment "absolutely changed my life" and urged careful but rapid study and implementation for veterans and civilians.

Podcast host Joe Rogan, who was onstage as an advocate, said the announcement marked the end of federal prohibition ‘‘in America’’ and credited conversations with public figures for helping bring attention to the issue.

What the order would do and limits: Speakers at the event repeatedly emphasized that the pathway remains science‑based and subject to FDA approval and clinical‑trial standards. Kennedy and others said criteria will govern how, where and under what medical supervision therapies can be administered and stressed the need for randomized controlled trials and biomarker research to determine who benefits.

Funding and timing: Kennedy said HHS will use at least $50 million from existing funds to support state partnerships and research. McCary said the agency expected decisions on applications later in the summer as imminent submissions enter review; he cited prior rapid review examples under national priority programs.

Claims and context from the event: The president described a series of policy and private‑sector developments that he said made the announcement possible, including the administration's drug‑pricing efforts and a recent Stanford study he referenced. The transcript records several quantitative claims made at the event — e.g., a statement that "since 9/11 we've lost over 21 times more veteran lives to suicide than on the battlefield" and that the administration's pricing changes have cut some drug costs "50–80%." These assertions were presented by speakers during the event and are reported here as claims made at the signing.

What happens next: The order directs federal agencies to begin steps that could speed clinical trials, data sharing and rescheduling reviews for therapies that successfully complete FDA trials. Agency officials at the event said timelines depend on the pace of applications and the outcomes of ongoing studies; the FDA official said some priority reviews could produce decisions later this summer. The White House and HHS described further implementation steps — including federal‑state partnerships and research investments — but did not announce a comprehensive timetable for VA program adoption or nationwide clinical delivery.

The signing concluded with public applause and repeated pledges by administration officials and supporters to continue rigorous research while expanding access for people with treatment‑resistant conditions.