Massachusetts Failed to Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms, DMT, Mescaline and Ibogaine

Massachusetts voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have eliminated penalties for noncommercial production, possession and sharing of five naturally occurring psychedelics. We received 87 percent of the votes sort of 57 percent of voters opposed Tuesday night Question 4This would allow adults 21 and over to use psilocybin, psilocin (another psychoactive component of “magic mushrooms”), dimethyltryptamine (DMT, the active ingredient in ayahuasca), ibogaine (a psychedelic derived from the root bark of the iboga tree). and mescaline (the active ingredient in peyote). The initiative would also authorize state-licensed “psychedelic therapy centers.”

Question 4 resembled a groundbreaking initiative launched by Colorado voters. approved It covers the same substances and behaviors in 2022. Both went further than 2020 Oregon initiative allows state-licensed “psilocybin service centers” but does not apply to other psychedelics or allow independent use (albeit an initiative) approved same year, later overthrown by the state legislature decriminalizing low-level possession of psychedelic and other drugs).

The Massachusetts initiative would allow “individuals 21 years of age or older” to “cultivate, possess, and use personal amounts of psychedelic substances.” It would also allow them to assist others in these activities and transfer personal use amounts to other adults “for free.”

Possession limits were 18 grams for mescaline, 30 grams for ibogaine, and one gram for DMT, psilocybin, or psilocin. Possession of more would be a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine, twice the limit, but would still be a criminal offense beyond that limit. Under current Massachusetts law, possession of psychedelics is prohibited. punishable Imprisonment of up to one year for the first offense and up to two years for the second offense.

On-site consumption of covered drugs in therapy centers would be regulated by the newly created Commission on Natural Psychedelic Substances. The initiative would impose a 15 percent tax on these transactions and allow local governments to impose an additional tax of up to 2 percent. Local governments would also be given the authority to regulate the centers without banning them.

Surveys conducted September And early october He suggested that voters deciding on Question 4 were about evenly split. But a significant portion of voters (14 percent in both polls) were undecided. A. third surveyThe survey, conducted in late October, stated that support was 50 percent, 44 percent opposed and 6 percent were undecided.

59 percent of Democrats in latest poll preferred Measure 4, 49 percent among independents, 36 percent among Republicans. Colorado’s 2022 psychedelic initiative to win by over seven points, which was impressive considering the state of the state. political demographics: Registered Democrats have only a small advantage over registered Republicans. But in Massachusetts, where Democrats are outnumbered Question 4 was defeated by a double-digit margin, with Republicans voting 3 to 1.

Like the campaigns for the Oregon and Colorado initiatives, the Question 4 campaign spearheaded by a group called Massachusetts for Mental Health Options highlighted the psychotherapeutic potential of psychedelics. “Plant-based therapies are the most effective treatment I have seen for veterans struggling with post-service mental health issues.” in question Emily Oneschuk, a Navy veteran who serves as the group’s grassroots outreach director, said in a press release. offer in question The initiative will allow “regular access to promising natural psychedelic medications for treatment-resistant PTSD, anxiety, and depression.” He emphasized that “psychedelics will be available in approved therapeutic settings under the supervision of trained and licensed facilitators and will not be sold in stores for take-home use.”

Opponents, led by the Safe Communities Coalition, portrayed Question 4 as a reckless experiment. Although the organization “does not advocate against the medicinal properties” of psychedelics, spokesman Chris Keohan said: said Boston Heraldthe initiative “goes too far, too fast, and does not address any of the real concerns that public safety advocates as well as mental health professionals have.”

Anahita Dua, surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital warned “Question 4 would decriminalize psychedelics, open for-profit centers (and) allow home growth in a 12-foot by 12-foot space,” adding that “with this much home growth, a black market is inevitable.” Dua predicted an increase in drug-impaired driving, accidental drug consumption by “children and pets,” and harm caused by ibogaine’s “life-threatening cardiotoxicity.” He complained that therapy centers “do not have to be managed by medical professionals, cannot provide critical care during adverse reactions, and are not prohibited from giving psychedelics to high-risk patients such as patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disease, pregnant or breastfeeding patients.” women.”

Such warnings apparently gave voters pause; This shows the limits of the message that psychedelics can help people overcome long-standing psychological problems when more traditional approaches have failed. Just as the medical use of marijuana opens the door to broader legalization, this strategy could weaken the underpinnings of the war on drugs and drugs. open the way to greater pharmacological freedom. But not in Massachusetts, at least not yet.