Politics

Provincetown, MA, Select Board backs reducing arrests for psilocybin… with 3-1-1 vote

December 18, 2023By

The Provincetown Select Board voted to approve a resolution… that instructs police officers to deprioritize cases involving psilocybin, and calls for statewide decriminalization and for the Cape & Islands District Attorney to cease prosecution of people possessing, cultivating or distributing psychedelic plants. Provincetown joins Somerville, Cambridge, Northampton, Easthampton and Salem, where elected officials have passed resolutions directing their…

READ MORE
Science

No comparison… alcohol vs. psilocybin…

December 14, 2023By

Notably, [alcohol is] prohibited or discouraged in certain social, religious, and cultural groups for this reason. While both substances alter consciousness and can affect mood and perception, they do so through very different mechanisms and carry different risks, experiential effects, and legal statuses. Although alcohol is culturally ingrained in many social contexts, its high potential…

READ MORE
Modern Culture

Windsor police raid downtown magic mushroom shop…

December 14, 2023By

Health Canada says… there are no approved therapeutic products that include psilocybin. Spokespeople for FunGuyz, which operates locations in multiple cities… told CBC News, [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation] that they are fighting… and will reopen locations that get raided. Original Article (CBC):Windsor police raid downtown magic mushroom shop for 3rd timeArtwork Fair Use: Public Domain

READ MORE
Politics

FDA weighs new application to approve MDMA as first-ever psychedelic medicine for PTSD

December 12, 2023By

The MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) announced on Tuesday [12/12/23] that it submitted the new drug application (NDA) to FDA, requesting an expedited review given that the agency previously designated the psychedelic as a breakthrough therapy. If the NDA is ultimately approved, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would then need to reschedule MDMA accordingly.…

READ MORE
Spirituality

Detroit ‘psychedelic church’ moves to take case to federal court

December 9, 2023By

Court documents defending Soul Tribes signed by Cannabis Cannabis Counsel attorney Thomas Lavigne argue “Soul Tribe’s free exercise of religion was adversely afffected by the unlawful search warrant executed by the City of Detroit Police Department and this subsequent nuisance abatement action pursued on behalf of the City.” They continue, “Michigan follows the Religious Freedom…

READ MORE
Politics

California campaign… psychedelics submits final version of proposed 2024 ballot measure

December 9, 2023By

While adults would be allowed to legally grow, possess and use substances like psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline under the measure, they would need physician recommendations to purchase the psychedelics at regulated stores. Cultivation on private property of psychedelic plants and fungi would be legal provided it’s done out of public view and…

READ MORE
Science

…psilocybin could be powerful… for pain – without opioids’ dwindling effects over time, study says

December 9, 2023By

“Recent neuroimaging studies combined with small sample interventions with classic psychedelic agents,” authors wrote, “may point towards a possible means of improving the treatment of chronic pain on a mechanistic and experiential level.” Numerous small trials of… psilocybin for chronic pain have already shown a good safety profile, with minimal physical dependence, withdrawal syndrome, or…

READ MORE
Science

Psilocybin’s ‘efficacy and safety’ for bipolar II depression demonstrated by American medical association study

December 9, 2023By

“12 patients met both response and remission criteria” at the end of a 12-week study period, the trial found, meaning that measures of the diagnosis had dropped by more than half and fell below a minimum threshold. Results… published by the American Medical Association “suggest efficacy and safety” of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of bipolar…

READ MORE
Politics

State-regulated psychedelics on a collision course with FDA

December 8, 2023By

Outside narrow exceptions for research, the production, possession, and sale of psychedelics are federal felonies. Consequently, state-licensed psychedelic businesses violate federal law when producing or dispensing psilocybin… In Oregon… some businesses ignore these restrictions and advertise their services as treatments for depression or addiction… In October 2023, the FDA issued a warning about off-label prescribing…

READ MORE