Bill > SB2149

This bill, known as the "Helping Open Pathways to Effective (HOPE) Treatment Act," aims to encourage Tennessee-based research institutions to participate in federally authorized clinical trials involving ibogaine, a substance being studied for its potential to treat conditions like opioid use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The act defines key terms such as "healthcare provider," "ibogaine," "researcher," and "research institution" to clarify its scope. It permits research institutions to engage in ibogaine clinical trials, either independently or as part of multistate collaborations, provided these activities comply with all state and federal laws, including obtaining an Investigational New Drug (IND) authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when required. The bill also allows these institutions to accept various forms of funding for their research and specifies that ibogaine can only be administered within the state as part of a clinical trial conducted at a hospital or qualified research facility under the medical direction of a licensed physician, with strict patient screening and safety protocols in place. Importantly, healthcare providers, researchers, patients, and research institutions complying with these provisions are protected from criminal liability under Tennessee's controlled substance laws solely for conduct authorized by federal law within the context of these clinical trials.