California and Oregon have long led the way in providing residents expanded access to controlled substances. Oregon was the first to decriminalize cannabis back in the '70s, and in 2020, it was the first state in the nation to decriminalize psychedelics for medical use. Now, California is poised to follow suit.
On Sept. 7, the California Senate voted 42–11 to pass Senate Bill 58. If signed into law, the provision would allow adults 21 and older to possess and use small amounts of plant and mushroom psychedelics containing several naturally occurring substances like psilocybin and psilocin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline (excluding peyote).
State Sen. Scott Weiner, who introduced the bill into the legislative body back in 2021, celebrated the victory on social media. "The Assembly just passed our psychedelics decriminalization bill (S.B. 58)," he wrote. "It’s supported by veterans, first responders, and health professionals."
BREAKING: The Assembly just passed our psychedelics decriminalization bill (SB 58).
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) September 6, 2023
SB 58 allows personal possession/use of small amounts of plant/mushroom psychedelics & creates a path for facilitated group use.
It’s supported by veterans, 1st responders, health professionals.
Proponents of psychedelics decriminalization have pointed out potential mental health benefits from certain plants and fungi. A 2022 study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research found that psilocybin therapy can reduce major depressive disorder symptoms for up to a year.
Weiner went on to extol the benefits of psychedelic therapy for a wide range of people.
"California’s veterans, first responders, and others struggling with PTSD, depression, and addiction deserve access to these promising plant medicines,” the senator said in a press release. "We know these substances are not addictive, and they show tremendous promise in treating many of the most intractable conditions driving our nation’s mental health crisis. It’s time to stop criminalizing people who use psychedelics for healing or personal well-being."
Related: Diplo Explains What It Was Like to Run L.A. Marathon on LSD
California's passage of S.B. 58 comes in the wake of two other states making similar moves. In 2020, Oregon voters approved the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, the first law in the country to establish a framework for patients to receive psilocybin. In 2022, Colorado legalized five natural psychedelic substances.
The bill will need final approval from the state Senate before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for signature. If signed into law, it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/VedM7QU
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