California lawmakers narrowly passed a bill Thursday. The proposal was supported by veterans and criminal justice reform advocates to decriminalize the possession and personal use of a limited list of natural psychedelics, including "magic mushrooms."
Governor Gavin Newsom will now decide the fate of Senate Bill 58, which would eliminate criminal penalties for the possession and use of psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in psychedelic mushrooms. The bill also applies to mescaline and dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
The bill requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to investigate the therapeutic use of psychedelics and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature. The measure passed the Senate on a 21-14 vote, with several Democrats opposed.
Proponents of psychedelics
“California veterans, first responders and others struggling with PTSD, depression and addiction deserve access to these promising plant-based medicines,” Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement after the bill passed the General Assembly in a bipartisan vote . 42-11 votes. “It's time to stop criminalizing people who psychedelics use for healing or personal well-being.”
The measure would only apply to people aged 21 and over and does not allow the personal transfer or sale of psychedelics in pharmacies. Oakland and Santa Cruz have taken similar measures. Criminal justice reform advocates say decriminalizing psychedelics is a step toward ending a war on drugs.
Veterans groups say it would help destigmatize psychedelics, which in some cases are more effective at treating post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression than traditional drugs. and therapies. Will this positive development also lead to decriminalization in Europe in the future?
Source: latimes.com (EN)
