Federal Summit on Psychedelic Medicine 2025

The Federal Summit on Psychedelic Medicine, hosted by the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition on May 8, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., brought together over 115 leaders from government, science, industry, advocacy, and the veteran community for a day of policy-focused dialogue. This invitation-only gathering represented a significant moment in the national conversation around psychedelic-assisted care, featuring bipartisan leadership and diverse perspectives on the path forward for psychedelic medicine in the United States.

The Summit opened with remarks from Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Rep. General Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, who presented a public briefing on the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act (H.R. 2623). This federal bill aims to establish psychedelic treatment hubs within the Department of Veterans Affairs, representing the first legislative effort of its kind at the federal level. The bipartisan support demonstrated the growing recognition of psychedelic therapies as potential tools for addressing mental health challenges facing veterans and the broader population.

Throughout the day, attendees heard from veterans speaking about the need for new treatment options for PTSD, chronic pain, and moral injury, as well as researchers from institutions like Johns Hopkins, UT Austin, and Harvard discussing the current state of psychedelic science. Federal policy experts explored regulatory and legislative pathways, while healthcare and infrastructure leaders addressed the practical challenges of building safe, scalable delivery systems. Investors and entrepreneurs outlined how public-private partnerships could drive access, innovation, and equity in this emerging field. The Summit concluded with closing remarks from PMC Founder & CEO Melissa Lavasani, who emphasized that scientific progress alone won't guarantee access and that lasting change will require regulatory clarity, legislative commitment, and strategic investment.