The HEAL Act.

SB 1018, known as the HEAL Act, establishes a funding program in North Carolina to support three-year research studies on psychedelic drugs like MDMA and psilocybin. The bill directs up to five competitive grants of at least one million dollars each to federal or academic institutions located in the state, focusing on treating trauma-related mental health conditions in specific groups such as military veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, and survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. To oversee this initiative, the legislation creates a Breakthrough Therapies Task Force composed of state officials, medical experts, tribal representatives, and legislators to assess the potential use of these medicines and recommend future regulations. All funded research must be conducted within North Carolina, adhere to federal laws, and include measurements of pain levels alongside mental health outcomes.