Legalization of Psychedelics: California and the United States – Cannabis | weed | marijuana

California is one step closer to legalizing psychedelics. A state Senate committee has approved a bill legalizing the possession of certain psychedelic substances.

The bill aims to legalize the “possession, preparation, acquisition, transmission as directed, or transportation” of small amounts of psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for personal use.

LSD and MDMA remain illegal due to an appeal to nature. While previous versions of the bill included them, some considered LSD and MDMA to be synthetic and therefore not genuine herbal medicines. One has to wonder what these people think of plant-based meat.

Psychedelic drug paraphernalia, technically illegal in California, would be legalized.

This isn’t the only psychedelics bill going through the California Legislature. A Republican recently introduced a bill to offer psychedelic therapy to military veterans. And California isn’t the only state interested in legalizing psychedelics.

details of the invoice

California Is One Step Closer To Legalizing Psychedelics, So What Are The Details? According to the approved bill, the following will be legal:

DMT: 2 grams

Ibogaine: 15 grams

Psilocybin: 2 grams or up to 4 ounces “a plant or mushroom that contains psilocybin”

Psilocyn: 2 grams or up to 4 ounces of “a plant or mushroom that contains psilocyn.”

What is the difference between psilocybin and psilocyn?

Psilocybin is a prodrug that converts to psilocin after ingestion. Psilocybin itself is not psychoactive, but once metabolized to psilocin in the body, it becomes active and exerts its psychedelic effects.

On the other hand, psilocin is the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms. It is structurally similar to serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial in regulating mood, appetite and sleep.

It is similar (but not quite the same) as THCA and THC. Technically, cannabis only contains THCA. When you decarboxylate THCA, it becomes THC.

How soon can Californians legally buy acid?

While California may be one step closer to legalizing psychedelics, the state is still a long way from a robust commercial market, if that’s the goal at all.

While the dichotomy between recreational and medicinal cannabis is obvious (although some would argue haphazardly), there are fewer differences when it comes to psychedelics.

Whenever we talk about legalizing or decriminalizing psychedelics, it’s almost always wrapped up in the language of helping people with mental health issues. This, of course, is one of the main benefits of psychedelics.

The bill’s author, Senator Scott Wiener, tweeted, “The Psychedelics team — veterans and healthcare providers — stands ready to decriminalize these life-saving substances for Californians. Let’s go!”

And while we’re all for psychedelic therapy, what about those who don’t have particularly bad mental health? What about those who are stuck in a rut or need a new approach to an old problem?

What about the right to your own body?

California nears legalization of psychedelics

An earlier version of the bill nearly died in 2022. Law enforcement agencies were unwilling to back him if he contained LSD and MDMA, as well as peyote.

However, the language of the bill is far better than anything coming out of Canada, where it’s easier to achieve state-assisted suicide than it is to get your hands on legal, therapeutic psychedelics.

“For over fifty years, the war on drugs has had an overwhelming financial and societal cost,” the bill said. “The current drug control system of the United States does not reflect a modern understanding of the incentives, economics, or effects of substance use, nor does it accurately reflect the risks or potential therapeutic benefits of many currently illicit substances.”

Or as Wiener told the press, “These drugs literally save lives and are among the most promising treatments we have for PTSD, anxiety, depression and addiction. We need to end the outdated, racist, failed War on Drugs and finally pursue a drug policy that helps people instead of locking them up.”

California isn’t the only state legalizing psychedelics

As of March 2023, over a dozen US states have been proposing some form of medical psychedelics program or decriminalization. At least four states have made significant strides in legalizing psychedelics. They are:

Washington passed legislation to legalize psilocybin therapy in a controlled setting.

Hawaii passed two measures to study psilocybin and MDMA to create a medical psychedelics program.

Colorado’s Senators just approved a Psychedelics Advisory Panel to oversee the legalization of psychedelics.

From January 2023, oregano enables the manufacture, processing, supply and possession of psilocybin and other naturally occurring psychedelic compounds. They also decriminalized LSD.

But many states also have psychedelic bills going through committees.

Not quite legal yet…

Arizona throwing money ($30 million) into clinical trials to study psilocybin’s effects on mental health.

Connecticut wants to decriminalize small amounts of psilocybin up to 1.5 ounces.

Illinois The CURE Act will create a state psychedelic therapy program.

Iowa Bill is just trying to get psilocybin and psilocin off the state’s controlled substances list. Kudos to Iowa and Phooey to Illinois

Maryland Draft law would decriminalize small amounts of LSD, MDMA, methadone, cocaine and heroin. The bill is still in committee.

Massachusetts seeks to decriminalize up to 2 grams of psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for adults over the age of 18.

Michigan’s Psychedelic reform has taken place at a more local level, with at least seven counties decriminalizing psychedelics in one form or another.

More states wanting psychedelic reform…

Minnesota wants to set up a task force to investigate the legalization of psychedelics for medicinal purposes. These include psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, mescaline, DMT, ibogaine, and ketamine.

Missouri has passed a bill promoting the therapeutic use of psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans.

Nevada would like to legalize magic mushrooms and MDA for medical purposes. But also in decriminalizing up to four ounces of psilocybin mushrooms for adults over the age of 18.

New Hampshire wants DMT removed from the state list of controlled substances. There was also talk of repealing the entire Narcotics Act. A bill will fully legalize the use and possession of LSD, psilocybin, mescaline and peyote for people over the age of 21.

New Mexico approved a bill creating an advisory panel to study a state medical psilocybin program.

new York has several psychedelic bills that have yet to go beyond the former committees.

Rhode Island is attempting to decriminalize up to an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms and allow home cultivation.

Texas has several bills amending existing laws to make psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine therapies available to military veterans. A bill could result in ketamine clinics being run for and by veterans.

Utah could legalize psilocybin therapy in a clinical setting for adults over 21.

Vermont also wants to decriminalize the possession and sale of psilocybin and start a psychedelic therapy advisory group.

Virginia wants to reschedule psilocybin and start an advisory board

Washington is considering decriminalizing psilocybin, while cities like Port Townsend have already done so.

West Virginia wants to remove psilocybin and cannabis (including THC) from the state list of controlled substances.

Legalization of Psychedelics

Five years ago this would have seemed impossible. The push for psychedelic reform is gaining momentum in the United States.

The legalization of psychedelics in one form or another is no longer taboo. And while much work remains, progress is significant.

By legalizing psychedelics, governments can undo some of the damage they’ve done.

Whether it’s denying people psychedelic drugs or sending young men and women into useless wars where they return with mental health problems and without the resources to cope.

A society with legal psychedelics is a more compassionate and understanding society. But while therapeutic uses can justify psychedelic reform, ultimately the only justification needed is the right to bodily autonomy.

You own yourself. Nobody has the right to stop you from using psychedelics.