Zachary Federico Testimony in Iowa: Establishing A Regulated Framework for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy

ALEC Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force Director Zachary Federico testified before the Iowa Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee regarding legislation that would create a regulated access program for psilocybin-assisted therapy.

Read his testimony below:

Chairman Guth and Members of the Subcommittee,

My name is Zach Federico, and I serve as Director of the Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. Thank you for the opportunity to share ALEC’s nonpartisan research and analysis as you consider this legislation to create a regulated access program for psilocybin-assisted therapy.

The ALEC Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force is a nonpartisan group of over 100 state legislators, business leaders, and policy experts who collaborate to develop model policies that support our nation’s veterans, servicemembers, and military families. In December, the Task Force voted unanimously to adopt the Therapeutic Psilocybin Act as model policy.

This action reflects a broad trend across the states. Utah, Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico have already enacted regulated access programs, and this year several other states—including Iowa, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Washington, Missouri, New York, Massachusetts, and Minnesota—are considering similar legislation.

These regulated access programs do not legalize recreational psilocybin use. Instead, they respond to a growing body of research suggesting that psilocybin-assisted therapy may offer therapeutic benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), substance use disorder (SUD), and other neurological conditions when delivered in controlled, clinical settings.

In states that have enacted these policies, the results have been encouraging. In Oregon, more than 40,000 psilocybin products have been sold for medicinal use with fewer than 30 calls for emergency services. A recent real-world study from the Oregon program found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and general well-being.

For veterans, first responders, and others struggling with treatment-resistant mental health conditions, the Therapeutic Psilocybin Act offers a responsible path forward. It allows patients who have not found relief through traditional treatments to access emerging therapies while maintaining clear guardrails that prioritize patient safety, provider accountability, and legislative oversight.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I am happy to answer any questions.