California moves to decriminalize magic mushrooms

Wikimedia Commons user Sasata

Bob Bonta, the attorney general of California, has sent an initiative that has the statute of decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms on Sept. 16. This initiative would decriminalize the “cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, transportation, possession, storage, consumption, and retail sale of psilocybin mushrooms” for adults aged 21 and over. 

The decriminalization of psilocybin isn’t purely for recreational use, but it opens more authorized use for healthcare research. The research will require a professional certification to reassure the qualifications for psilocybin therapy are met. Research surrounding psychedelic use has been happening for almost two decades now, but has been ramping up due to decriminalization and the change in stigmas surrounding the substances.  

In a research article by Albert Garcia-Rineu, other researchers in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, conducted in 2019 had found that psychedelic use “may lead to cessation or reduction in problematic alcohol use.” 

The study had 343 participants, which were mostly white males in the United States. 72% of them met the criteria for severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). After taking doses of LSD or psilocybin, 83% of the participants no longer met the criteria for AUD. Along with aiding in AUD, there is evidence in helping longtime smokers quit smoking and easing anxiety and depression for people with life threatening cancer. 

Along with the medical changes happening through this initiative, there is also a financial aspect to it. In regards to enforcing psilocybin-related offenses, such as court cases and incarcerations, it will cost just under a few million dollars annually for local and state governments. The state costs to regulate businesses and treatment providers of psilocybin will cost tens of millions. The potential state and local tax revenues will only be a few million dollars annually. 

For the initiative to be put on the November 2022 ballot, the activists must get 623,212 valid signatures within 180 days. Link There was an attempt in 2020 to get the decriminalization of mushrooms on the ballot, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it made it difficult to get the signatures for it. Currently, Oregon is the only state with legalized psilocybin mushrooms. California may be next.

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