PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would fund clinical trials of a psychedelic drug that could help veterans.

House Bill 2871 would appropriate $5 million to fund clinical trials that investigate the medical uses of ibogaine, a substance that could potentially treat traumatic brain injuries and other conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.

This could help the drug reach Arizona veterans who don’t receive health care from Veteran’s Affairs, according to Arizona Republican Rep. Justin Wilmeth, who sponsored the bill. If the trials the bill helps facilitate are a success, the FDA might even approve ibogaine as a treatment for veterans.

Wilmeth said it’s the least veterans deserve for their service.

“Our country’s brave soldiers have fought valiantly to preserve and protect our freedoms, some gave all, their lives,” Wilmeth said during a Tuesday hearing at the Arizona Capitol. “And all gave some, including coming home different and changed and deeply hurt emotionally.”

How could this psychedelic drug treatment help veterans?

Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S. This term refers to drugs, substances or chemicals that don’t currently have accepted medical uses and have high potential for abuse, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Wilmeth commended veterans who urged lawmakers to allow them to access ibogaine treatment.

“Getting to see these men testify today shows we have an opportunity to help our best and bravest,” Wilmeth said. “Let’s do this!”

He hopes the bill will be more successful than previous legislation introduced last year, which would have allowed veterans to receive “magic mushroom” treatments. Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed that bill.

Sinema says this psychedelic drug could help veterans

Arizona’s former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema advocated for the bill ahead of the final vote, saying that research is necessary because many veterans already self-medicate with ibogaine.

“Right now, veterans who want to get access to ibogaine treatment must travel to Northern Mexico,” Sinema said. “It is expensive to do so.”

In a bipartisan 13-1 vote, the bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committee this week. The sole dissenter was Republican Rep. Justin Olson.

The bill will now head to the full Arizona House of Representatives for a final vote.

Sinema has high hopes for the legislation. In fact, she said she’d raise another $5 million in private funds if Hobbs signs the bill into law.