Massachusetts Group Files Paperwork to Put Psychedelic Decriminalization Question on Ballots

A group called Massachusetts for Mental Health Options last week filed paperwork with state regulators signaling plans to put a psychedelic decriminalization ballot question to voters, CBS News reports. In the filing, the group states its purpose is “To expand mental health treatment options in Massachusetts by providing new pathways to access natural psychedelic medicine therapy” and the ballot question would seek to create “access to natural psychedelic medicine therapy” and remove “criminal penalties for personal possession of these medicines.” 

Responding to an inquiry from CBS News, Ben Unger, of the group New Approach, which helped the passage of psychedelic therapy ballot questions in Colorado and Oregon, described the Massachusetts proposal as “still very much in the exploratory phase.” 

“The coalition is still forming and the policy is still going through a process of being vetted, discussed and finalized. As you can imagine, lots [of] details to iron out.” — Unger to CBS News 

The campaign has until August 2 to file an initiative petition for the 2024 election. New Approach is not listed on the paperwork submitted last week. The point of contact listed is MLM Strategies. 

Colorado and Oregon are the only two states, along with Washington D.C., that have legalized some psychedelics for therapeutic use and decriminalized possession of small amounts. In all three cases, the reforms were approved by voters in ballot initiatives.