$4.7 million appropriation to the Office of Precision Medicine marks the third consecutive year veteran advocates have advanced psychedelic research legislation in California, one of the largest veteran-specific state investments in U.S. history
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- California has taken a historic step toward advancing new mental health treatment options for veterans with the passage of Assembly Bill 113 (AB 113), legislation appropriating $4.7 million to the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM), an office within the California Health and Human Services Agency to advance psychedelic-assisted therapy research focused on veterans. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Friday, September 18.
The passage of AB 113 marks the first state appropriation in California for psychedelic-assisted therapy research and is the third consecutive year that California has advanced legislation supporting research into these emerging treatments. The investment comes after years of veteran-led advocacy and sustained work by Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), alongside legislative champions, veteran service organizations, researchers, and mental health advocates.
"California owes our veterans more than gratitude. We owe them action," said Governor Gavin Newsom. "AB 113 puts real state resources behind finding new answers for veterans struggling with PTSD, TBI, and the invisible wounds of service. They courageously served our country. Now, it's our turn to be brave, to serve our veterans through bold leadership and real action."
"This is a historic investment in California's veterans and in the research needed to understand how emerging treatments may help address the mental health challenges they face," said Amber Capone, CEO of VETS. "Veterans who have exhausted existing treatment options deserve better answers, and promising approaches deserve serious scientific investigation. This funding gives California an opportunity to build the evidence we need to understand who these treatments may help, what the risks are, and how they can be delivered responsibly."
The legislation's passage is a significant milestone in California's growing leadership on psychedelic-assisted therapy research. In recent years, the state has taken steps to establish a stronger foundation for research and responsible implementation, building momentum toward a future in which veterans and other patients may have access to additional evidence-based treatment options. California has the largest total veteran population in the United States, with estimates ranging between 1.4 million and 1.8 million former service members.
For VETS, the passage of AB 113 is the result of years of veteran-led advocacy. Veterans have shared their experiences with mental health treatment, engaged directly with policymakers, and advocated for greater investment in research into treatments that may ultimately provide new options for those who have not found adequate relief through existing approaches.
The $4.7 million appropriation will be administered through CIAPM and is intended to support research focused on psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans. The investment is expected to help California build the scientific infrastructure and evidence base necessary to better understand the safety, effectiveness, and potential applications of these emerging treatments.
The legislation also builds on California's recent history of advancing psychedelic research policy. AB 113 follows AB 1103, signed in October 2025, which expedited California's psychedelic research approval process and AB 2841, signed in 2024, which eliminated barriers to research in the state. Together, these efforts demonstrate sustained momentum toward developing a responsible, evidence-driven framework for psychedelic-assisted therapy research.
While the passage and signing of AB 113 represent a major achievement, VETS emphasized that the legislative milestone is not the finish line. VETS will continue working with policymakers, researchers, veterans, and partner organizations to help ensure the appropriation is implemented effectively and that the intended research can move forward.
The passage of AB 113 is both a significant investment in California's veterans and a reflection of what sustained, veteran-led advocacy can accomplish. After years of organizing and engagement, California has committed meaningful state resources to studying emerging approaches to mental health treatment for those who have served.
About VETS
Founded in 2019, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the veteran suicide epidemic through three core pillars: resources, research, and advocacy. VETS provides access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans and their spouses, supports scientific research with leading institutions, and works with policymakers to advance evidence-based treatment options for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, addiction, and other service-related conditions. Since its founding, VETS has supported more than 1,300 veterans and spouses with treatment access and comprehensive integration support.
About CIAPM
Launched in 2015, the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM) supports patient-focused research demonstration projects and connects health and medicine stakeholders across California. CIAPM, formally part of the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and now housed within CalHHS, facilitates cross-sector collaborations among the state's scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and patient participants, enabling them to translate available large data sets and technical innovation into better and equitable health outcomes.
Media Contact
Brad Burge, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), 1 6508636887, [email protected], https://vetsolutions.org
SOURCE Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)
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