Trump and the Future of Psychedelics

RFK Jr. and Elon Musk allies are rallying behind reform, but not everyone is onboard

Author

Jack Gorsline
24 Jan

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Can RFK Jr. Save Psychedelics?

Trump’s HHS pick stirs controversy. Advocates debate the future of psychedelic medicine under MAGA leadership.

By Jack Gorsline


In the wake of a tumultuous election season in the United States, advocates from across the political spectrum have expressed no shortage of broad-ranging predictions for the future of psychedelic policy reform during Donald Trump’s second term. A major post-election topic in psychedelic circles has been Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s alignment with President-elect Donald Trump, most notably because the former is a supporter of alternative medicines, including psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Despite his prior criticism of Trump, Kennedy’s endorsement of the Donald Trump-JD Vance ticket has paid off in spades. Shortly after the election, Trump announced his intention to nominate RFK Jr. to serve as Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The decision has drawn national attention, not only for Kennedy's controversial stances on health-related issues and outspoken support for psychedelics, but also in response to a broader wave of public support for psychedelics from political conservatives in recent years. 

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