Biography/Memoir

…looking to decriminalize

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, stated, “The potential harms associated with any of these drugs is worsened when people are pushed into a position where they have to produce, obtain and consume those drugs illegally.” Trudeau was asked whether he would be open to decriminalization in the context of the opioid overdose…

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Politics

Sale of magic mushrooms up for debate at Vancouver City Hall

The motion was questioned for hours… and was ultimately rejected. [A] Councillor suggested council work with police and public health officials to address businesses and dispensaries that may… selling psilocybin whole mushrooms… powders, tablets or capsules. Her hope was the group would file a report back to the city on criminal activity, possible public health…

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Politics

U.S. House of Representatives passes… marijuana banking bill

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday (9/25/2019) to let federally-insured banks work with cannabis shops and related companies in states that have legalized marijuana, marking the first ever federal vote on a stand-alone cannabis bill. Some local banks and credit unions have quietly begun working with the industry in states where cannabis is legal. A…

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Politics

…psilocybin mushrooms up for debate at Vancouver City Hall

The motion was questioned for hours… and was ultimately rejected. [A] Councillor suggested council work with police and public health officials to address businesses and dispensaries that may… [be providing access to] psilocybin whole mushrooms… Her hope was the group would file a report back to the city on criminal activity, possible public health impact…

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Politics

Psychedelic decriminalization bids gain momentum in cities nationwide

“There is a lot of tension right now between the city and the unhoused community,” said Alex Williams, an organizer on the Berkeley campaign. “And obviously there are many people struggling with debilitating mental illnesses, and so the incredible power of these sacred medicines to expand consciousness and empathy can be very powerful in bridging certain cultural…

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Politics

Group that convinced voters to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms goes national

“Psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalized nationally by 2026,” he [Kevin Matthews] said. “And then we’re looking at what’s possible in addition to decriminalization. There is a regulatory landscape that’s evolving out of this conversation and so I think as long as individuals are no longer being imprisoned for using mushrooms and other psychedelics [while]… there are…

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Politics

Will Oakland lead the psychedelic revolution?

Movements don’t happen in places where people are comfortable with the way things are happening around them. Movements do happen in Oakland, where people aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. That’s been the case time and again, including Oakland’s treatment of marijuana, as it was one of the first places to decriminalize it long…

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Politics

Berkeley City Council considers decriminalizing psychedelics

A resolution to decriminalize psilocybin and other psychedelics will go before a Berkeley, California City Council … Councilmembers Rigel Robinson and Cheryl Davila are sponsoring the resolution, which does not allow for commercial sales or manufacturing. The lawmakers provided background information on the measure in a report to their colleagues and the mayor, describing the medical potential…

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Politics

Federal health agencies acknowledge therapeutic potential of psychedelics

The heads of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) coauthored a new letter describing that status of research into psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ibogaine. The letter… contains surprising admissions about the therapeutic potential of these federally prohibited controlled substances. It comes in response to an…

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