Voting

[rdrr]

Having a tough time with one of our ballot questions.

MA Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances

This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substance sallowed would be two substances found in mushrooms(psilocybin and psilocyn) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine). These substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. This proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances. This proposed law would also provide for the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances.

This proposed law would license and regulate facilities offering supervised use of these psychedelic substances and provide for the taxation of proceeds from those facilities’ sales of psychedelic substances. It would also allow persons aged 21 and older to grow these psychedelic substances in a 12-foot by 12-foot area at their home and use these psychedelic substances at their home. This proposed law would authorize persons aged 21 or older to possess up to one gram of psilocybin, one gram of psilocyn, one gram of dimethyltryptamine, 18 grams of mescaline, and 30 grams of ibogaine (“personal use amount”), in addition to whatever they might grow at their home, and to give away up to the personal use amount to a person aged 21 or over.

I am all for mental health treatment with Psychedelics, and medical studies have shown that they can be very beneficial where other treatments fail. I am going to have to do a deep dive on this, because the way that this is written, seems like there are some loopholes and the quick arguments against proponents made two valid cases.

Pro arguments:
1. Significant improvement in the quality of life for those struggling with PTSD, medically resistant depression, and certain types of anxiety.
2. One case argument cites that "True, some psychedelics pose health risks, but we haven’t seen severe impacts in Colorado, where they’ve been legal for a year."

Against arguments:
1. The regulated facilities do not have to have any medical professionals on staff, and do not have to report or treat any adverse reactions to a patient.
2. The growing at home clause for personal use seems to be fraught with peril. Now I am no Pollyanna that believes there currently isn't a black market of psychedelics in MA or across this country, but... I do believe this will cause an increase in the availability of phchedilics and make readily available. Plus there is an argument to say that someone who is growing it at home with children in the house, could expose those children to accidental use.

Again I would be in favor of this ballot question if there were some tighter controls, so currently I flopping back and forth. I am going to read the full text of the question and a few papers with professional analysis, before I make my final decision.

 

[cbum]

I am also very much in favor of their use in mental health, but I think this is a bad idea.
The excellent results are a direct consequence of responsible use in a controlled environment, including deep knowledge of when NOT to use them - these are very potent agents. If you are nearing a psychotic break, or a manic phase in your bipolar disease, or otherwise in a bad place, the consequences can be fatal, and not always just for you.
These agents have a long history of success in traditional medicine, meaning there was a shaman, or medicine man, or guide etc. who had some idea of what they were doing accompanying you.
Very different than just going in your yard when you are in trouble.
Not sure if
"These substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator."
is going to cut it.

This effort may well reflect frustration with the glacial pace medicine/psychiatry has been investigating their use for the last few decades, and I worry this could lead to bad outcomes that lead to a backlash and losing the little ground we have gained so far.