Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) voiced his support for the potential of psilocybin mushrooms to be a transformative development in mental health care and a significant economic driver for his state of Pennsylvania, which he called the “mushroom capital of the world,” reported Marijuana Moment.
At a Wednesday Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing that he chaired, Fetterman said he’s “been an advocate of psychedelics in terms of magic mushrooms for PTSD and for veterans especially.”
Fetterman, former lieutenant governor of PA, also stressed the possible economic advantages the industry could provide. During a conversation with Chris Alonzo, the proprietor of Pietro Farms, Fetterman put forward the idea that the mushrooms sector could initiate a significant shift in mental health care as well as an economic boom. “Are you open to thinking of that?” he asked.
“We’re definitely open to it. As entrepreneurs, our focus is on producing healthy food for the community, for the U.S.,” Alonzo replied. He explained the uses of mushroom mycelium, which include product manufacture and oil absorption and highlighted the nutritional benefits of mushrooms.
“So anything that ties in health benefits, medical benefits, we’re open to looking at,” Alonzo said. “Obviously you have to do it within parameters of being secure and safe and and responsible, but we’re open to it.”
A longtime advocate for cannabis legalization, Fetterman said recently that the country should also “open up research into psilocybin.”
A step in that direction was taken recently by bipartisan congressional lawmakers who proposed a $75 million federal grant program to support a research proposal into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, earmarked for active-duty military members.