As a private citizen and resident of Scottsdale, Sinema on Monday urged the House Appropriations Committee to vote in favor of a bill that would fund research on ibogaine, a plant-based psychoactive drug. Currently, the Drug Enforcement Agency classifies ibogaine as a Schedule 1 substance, in the same league as heroin and weed. But it has been shown to be effective in treating traumatic brain injuries in veterans.
The appearance at the legislature was a rare public indication of Sinema’s post-Senate career prospects. POLITICO reported in January that Sinema is joining the Global Advisory Council of the cryptocurrency firm Coinbase.
Her further plans may be murky, but here’s what we know about the bill Sinema is pushing.
What bill is Sinema backing?
The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Justin Wilmeth of Phoenix, would appropriate $5 million from the state general fund to the Department of Health Services to conduct “a certified clinical research study on the use of ibogaine.” The research would investigate ibogaine's potential to treat neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.The bill does not specify an organization or research agency that would receive the money. To get the grant, the chosen organization would need to at least match — through “monies of gifts, grants and donations” — the state’s $5 million contribution.
If the bill passes, the Health Service Department must identify a recipient agency. That agency must have a history of treating neurological diseases, a neurosurgery program with research facilities and the capacity to “facilitate pioneering research and innovation in diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.”
The bill originally called for a $10 million grant. An amendment from Rep. David Livingston halved that total.
SEEN "Private citizen" Kyrsten Sinema of Scottsdale AZ returns to AZ House Approps Ctte room for 1st time in 15 years to support $5 million state grant for research on ibogaine. https://t.co/xYdPJvkJTj #HB2871 pic.twitter.com/alesdElWFt
— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) February 25, 2025
What is ibogaine?
The drug is a naturally occurring compound found in the roots of the central African shrub iboga. For centuries, people have used it in spiritual and healing ceremonies for its hallucinogenic effects.It has been found to help treat traumatic brain injuries, as well as a potential treatment for opioid and cocaine addiction. But since 1970, it has been designated in the U.S. as a Schedule 1 drug, the most stringent level of regulation. Meanwhile, clinics in Canada and Mexico offer legal ibogaine treatments.
What impact could Arizona's ibogaine bill have?
While veterans aren’t mentioned in the bill text itself, a Stanford School of Medicine study suggests ibogaine may help them with symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and suicide. And as Wilmeth pitched the idea that research funding would help veterans struggling with TBI in Arizona, so did Sinema.Sinema told lawmakers that TBI is the signature injury of post-9/11 veterans who experienced repeated blast exposure. There's no cure. Veterans rely on therapy and antidepressants to treat their symptoms.
"The current set of tools is not working,” Sinema said. She argued that Arizona should invest in the research, noting that Stanford’s study showed “treatment with ibogaine immediately led to significant improvements in functioning, PTSD, depression and anxiety.”
