The move to legalize psychedelics in California comes after efforts to pass more sweeping changes failed, with gradual steps to allow the use of psychedelic drugs in treatment settings. It seems like we are entering a new phase of focus.
An effort to ask voters to decriminalize products containing so-called magic mushrooms and psilocybin missed last week's signature submission deadline and failed to qualify for the 2024 ballot. This follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's veto last year of a bill that would have decriminalized a short list of natural psychedelic substances, including “magic mushrooms.”
Congress is currently considering an even narrower approach. A bill expected to be introduced in the coming weeks would seek to legalize psychedelic-assisted therapy. invoice A bill passed by the Assembly Health Committee last week would provide funding for a working group to study the benefits and risks of: psychedelic therapy.
“As we all know, California is facing a serious mental health crisis,” Rep. Marie Waldron (R-San Diego) said during Tuesday's hearing.
“The data will help us legislate appropriate policies regarding the use of psychedelics in clinical practice. These treatments have the potential to save countless lives.”
Newsom vetoed last year's bill to decriminalize psychedelic drugs, saying he wanted the state to create “regulated treatment guidelines” instead of broadly authorizing the drugs' use. Ta. He suggested California “start immediately” on this.
Testifying alongside Waldron on Tuesday was state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who authored the psychedelic bill that Newsom vetoed.
“Senator Waldron and I will be collaborating this year in the field of psychedelic therapy,” Wiener told the committee. “Late this month or early February, in line with the governor's veto message, we plan to introduce legislation in the Senate to legalize and create a structure for psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
Waldron stressed that his bill would not decriminalize psychedelics and that if passed, no one would be treated with psychedelics. He also pointed to Oregon and Colorado, which have already decriminalized drugs, and said it's time for California to “step up.”
“What we need is a foundation to bring it all together in one place. So this working group will be made up of people working in clinical settings,” Waldron said.
Rep. Akira Weber (D-La Mesa), an obstetrician-gynecologist, asked what was meant by “clinical setting.”
“I'm having trouble with the terminology you're talking about,” Weber said, repeatedly asking for clarification on what exactly the group would study, whether it would be randomized controlled trials or whether it would rely on anecdotes. Weber was also skeptical of the bill's timeline, which would require the task force to reach a conclusion by 2026.
Similarly, Rep. Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), who did not support Wiener's bill last year, said it was “unclear” who would conduct the working group study.
Outside the parliament building, Voting measures Started by Decriminalize California sold to voters “A world where anyone can grow, manufacture, distribute, possess, transport and consume magic mushrooms and psilocybin-containing products without restriction without fear of criminal prosecution.” 546,651 people needed to vote statewide in November The Jan. 10 deadline to submit valid signatures was missed.
The campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Times.
a different approach The bill, which calls for the creation of a national agency to regulate psychedelics (including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis) and fund research into their therapeutic uses, will appear on the November ballot. We are collecting signatures in the hope that this will happen. March 20th is the deadline for 874,641 valid signatures to be submitted.
