The Urgent Need for Bold Action

Every day in the United States, we lose no fewer than 17 , and by some estimates, as many as 44 veterans to suicide – nearly double the rate of non-veteran Americans lost to suicide each year. Since 2001, more than 140,000 veterans have died by suicide. Additionally, no less than 29% of Global War on Terrorism veterans are known to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the disproportionate incidence of PTSD among veterans is a leading driver of their disproportionate incidence of suicide.

In the face of this mounting death toll, the need for innovative, evidence-based public policy and legislative approaches to advancing veteran health care grows more urgent with each passing day. Given this grim reality, the work of the Policy and Advocacy Team at Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) has always felt urgent.

VETS is leading the charge to address this national crisis by championing access to psychedelic-assisted therapies and advocating for legislative reforms that expand treatment options for veterans. Psychedelic-assisted therapies have shown great promise in transforming veteran health, yet political and legal barriers continue to prevent widespread access to therapies approved by the Food And Drug Administration (FDA).

A Pivotal Moment for Policy Reform

The incoming presidential administration also presents a historic opportunity to make significant progress in our efforts. Even before being sworn in, the second Trump Administration demonstrated an openness and receptivity to advancing veteran access to psychedelic-assisted therapies that was unprecedented, soliciting policy proposals from VETS and other advocates within days of President Trump’s 2024 electoral victory. 

With a shifting political landscape, growing bipartisan support, and promising clinical research data, VETS is poised to advance critical state and federal policy and legislative changes that will change lives and provide a pathway to healing for veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other service-related conditions.

The new year presents a unique confluence of factors creating fertile ground for psychedelic policy reform. We believe that the new Republican presidential administration, coupled with a Republican-controlled Congress, should foster an environment where innovative treatment solutions, particularly those focused on improving veteran health, will gain even greater traction. 

Shifting public attitudes toward psychedelics, driven by emerging scientific evidence, powerful personal testimony, and FDA acknowledgment of their therapeutic potential , further bolsters the case for bold legislative action. State governments in Texas and California, and even the federal government, have already laid the groundwork for psychedelic research initiatives, setting powerful precedents for federal and state collaboration with veteran mental health advocates, clinical researchers, and the private sector.

The time to harness this momentum is NOW. VETS is committed to ensuring that these collective efforts translate into politically viable legislation and actionable policies that prioritize veterans’ needs while ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficacy. VETS’ Policy and Advocacy Team, composed of Co-Founder and CEO, Amber Capone; Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Khurshid Khoja; Legislative Director, Logan Davidson; and Director of Research, Dylan Orion, is ready to lead the charge.  

VETS’ Policy Priorities: Expanding Access & Breaking Barriers

We have a comprehensive strategy for 2025, centered on five core initiatives:

1. Eliminating Obstacles to Psychedelics Research:

VETS is committed to identifying and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and fast-tracking regulatory approvals for urgently needed clinical research on psychedelic compounds. 

Through innovative initiatives like California AB 2841 (which ended and eliminated a growing backlog of Schedule I clinical studies awaiting state approval), we aim to eliminate unnecessary delays by state and federal agencies. These efforts will accelerate clinical trials and ensure that approvals for life-changing research are prioritized.

When successful:

  • Research approvals are expedited, reducing unnecessary delays.
  • Agencies such as the FDA and DEA adopt policies that prioritize studies on promising therapies for PTSD, TBI, and related conditions.

2. Advancing Model Research Legislation:

Building on the success of initiatives like Texas HB 1802 (the first bill in the nation to provide public funding for clinical research advancing psychedelic-assisted therapies), VETS is leading efforts to introduce and pass model legislation in legislatures and electorates advancing psychedelics research. 

This legislation focuses on funding and conducting rigorous clinical trials to evaluate the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for conditions such as PTSD and TBI. By tailoring our advocacy to focus on advancing veteran access to psychedelic-assisted therapies through the VA, we aim to expand nonpartisan support for these transformative therapies.

When successful: 

  • A framework is established to encourage collaboration between federal and state agencies, researchers, and advocacy organizations to accelerate therapeutic development.
  • States will allocate substantial resources to support clinical trials, ensuring that research is adequately funded to explore the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

3. Advancing State-Regulated Therapeutic Access:

Until the VA can make FDA-approved psychedelic-assisted therapies available to veterans, VETS is committed to creating pathways for broader access to these treatments across the U.S., ensuring they are available to veterans who need them most. Through proactive engagement at both the state and federal levels, VETS is working to make safe access available through regulated providers while concurrently working toward receiving FDA approvals. 

Recent state legislation co-sponsored by VETS (California’s SB 1012) can serve as a starting point for this approach, setting the stage for responsibly expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies while ensuring patient safety and robust regulatory oversight.

When successful: 

  • Expedited access to a wider range of compounds, including MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT is enabled, allowing for a comprehensive approach to treating conditions driving the veteran suicide crisis before they can be made accessible through the VA.
  • The ability to treat not only PTSD and TBI, but also other critical conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, chronic pain, and anxiety, is accelerated.

4. Supporting Educational Efforts for Lawmakers and Veterans:

Education is a cornerstone of VETS’ advocacy strategy. We are dedicated to equipping lawmakers with accurate, evidence-based information about psychedelic-assisted therapies, addressing misconceptions, and fostering informed decision-making. Simultaneously, we strive to educate veterans about emerging treatment options, empowering them to advocate for access to innovative care.

VETS developed the first comprehensive psychedelic-assisted therapy e-course for veterans, family members, allies, or lawmakers looking to learn more about these innovative treatment options. We also proudly collaborate with renowned research institutions such as Stanford University and The Ohio State University , among others, to showcase the scientific efficacy and unprecedented healing potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

When successful: 

  • Lawmakers will better understand the evidence-based outcomes of psychedelic-assisted therapies on veteran health.
  • Veterans, their families, and other allies will better understand psychedelic-assisted therapies, their efficacy, and healing potential.
  • Veterans will be empowered, ensuring their needs remain at the forefront of policy discussions.

5. Building A Coalition for Change:

VETS recognizes that ending the veteran suicide epidemic requires a united front. In 2025, we are focused on building a robust coalition that brings together established veteran service organizations, mental health advocates, legislative champions, and other key stakeholders. 

This coalition will operate in common cause to advance policies that expand access to innovative therapies, amplify the voices of veterans and their families, and drive systemic change at the state and federal levels. By fostering collaboration and shared purpose, this initiative will strengthen our advocacy efforts.

When successful: 

  • This coalition will provide robust, unified support for practical policy change that prioritizes veteran health.
  • We will lend credibility, provide evidence, and rally enthusiasm to help shape the future of federal policy on psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Turning Strategy into Support

Current treatments for PTSD, TBI, and related veteran health conditions fall short for many, leading to continued suffering, or forcing them to seek care abroad. Psychedelic-assisted therapies represent a revolutionary opportunity, offering hope for those who have exhausted conventional options. Clinical trials have demonstrated the unprecedented potential of these therapies, providing new hope to those in crisis.

However, systemic barriers—outdated policies, fragmented care systems, and limited research funding—continue to impede progress. It is imperative that we address these challenges head-on, leveraging the full weight of legislative and grassroots advocacy to drive change.

VETS invites you to join us in this critical mission. Together, we can reduce barriers to care, advance groundbreaking research, and ensure that every veteran has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

Learn more about VETS’ legislative priorities and how you can support our mission.

Meet VETS’ Policy & Advocacy Team

Amber Capone | Co-Founder and CEO

Amber Capone is the Co-Founder and CEO of VETS, where she has transformed a grassroots movement into a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting nearly 1,000 grant recipients and counting. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in raising $14MM, advancing psychedelic research, and driving policy change across the U.S. A devoted wife and mother, Amber is deeply passionate about veteran family issues and committed to making a lasting difference.

Khurshid Khoja | Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

Khurshid Khoja has been a key advisor to VETS since its founding, guiding the organization on legal and policy matters, including policy reform and veteran-focused access to psychedelic therapies. A practicing California attorney and advocate for drug policy reform at the state and federal levels, Khurshid brings decades of expertise to his role. He is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of veteran families and preventing future tragedies related to the veteran suicide epidemic.


Logan Davidson | Legislative Director

Logan Davidson is a legislative expert with a proven track record, including the passage of Texas’ landmark psychedelic medicine law, HB 1802. As VETS’ Legislative Director, he combines bipartisan political experience and personal dedication to fighting veteran suicide. Logan holds degrees in Public Relations, Political Science, and an MBA, and he continues to lead efforts to advance psychedelic legislation in Texas and other states across the country.


Dylan Orion | Director of Research

Dylan Orion brings extensive experience in psychedelic clinical trials from his time at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. At VETS, he oversees the Wellbeing Assessment program, a longitudinal evaluation of grant recipients using advanced diagnostic tools, and leads innovative research into belief changes associated with psychedelics and veterans. Based in Minneapolis, Dylan also directs the Integrative Arts Collective, providing accessible wellness programming that blends psychedelic theory with holistic practices.