California state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) is set to propose a psychedelics decriminalization proposal covering hallucinogenic mushrooms and DMT, a strong and naturally occurring psychedelic, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Senate Bill 58 is a scaled-back version of Wiener’s proposal from last year, which sought to remove criminal penalties for possession of psychedelics including LSD, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and others. His previous measure, though approved by the Senate, had its decriminalization language removed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and Wiener ultimately pulled the bill.
Wiener’s latest proposal focuses on decriminalization but leaves out LSD, MDMA, and ecstasy, according to the report. The bill is supported by progressive lawmakers and organizations that claim psychedelics could be an effective treatment for PTSD among combat veterans.
“These drugs literally save lives and are some of 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 We need to end the outdated, racist, failed War on Drugs and finally pursue drug policies that help people instead of incarcerating them.” — Wiener, in a statement via the Chronicle
SB58 would not allow for the sale of psychedelics and stops short of establishing a regulated framework for the medical and/or supervised consumption of such products, unlike neighboring Oregon’s 2020 voter-approved psilocybin therapy legalization measure.
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