Politics

California nixes a bill to decriminalize plant-based psychedelics

“Should we be threatening people with arrest and incarceration for using mushrooms? Of course we should not,” says Scott Weiner [who introduced the bill] “If you want drugs to be unsafe, the most effective thing you can do is criminalize them and push everyone within the shadows where they’re where they’re less likely to ask…

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Politics

Dr. Bronner’s decries veto of landmark criminal justice and mental health reform legislation in California

The bill, which passed the California Assembly and Senate was introduced by California state Senator Scott Wiener and amended in various committees, would have decriminalized natural psychedelics, such as psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca tea, allowing adults of age 21 or older to grow, possess and use them without fear of prosecution. Senate Bill 58 also…

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Politics

Revealing the missing link to climate justice: drug policy

The report by a coalition of scientists, academics and activists from all over the world (currently co-ordinated by Health Poverty Action) outlines the key ways in which drug policy impedes climate justice… if those in public office have been corrupted or otherwise undermined by corruption, it is much more likely they won’t be securing the…

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Politics

Maine’s biggest city advances proposal to decriminalize psychedelic plants and fungi

The Portland, Maine’s, Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee… passed the resolution on a 3–0 vote… amended the bill to cover home cultivation of natural entheogens for personal use and sharing without compensation. Criminal enforcement would not change for selling, dispensing, possessing on school grounds or driving under the influence of the substances.…

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Politics

Psilocybe mushrooms: KLCC: NPR [CPR] news: morning edition: 7/4/2023

Steve Inskeep & Rob Smith: After being… [the first state]… to legalize marijuana… [for home grow…] Voter’s approved [Colorado] Proposition 122. It allows Coloradans to grow and use plants and fungi containing psychedelic substances like psilocybin… “122 gave us the opportunity to use our voice and to share the healing power of mushrooms with others,”…

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Biography/Memoir

Oregon… legal psilocybin access amid high demand…

The clients can’t buy mushrooms to go, and they must stay at the service center… it’s too early to assess Oregon’s mushroom legalization… Oregon licensed grower Gared Hansen has come full circle from the 16 years he spent as a police officer in San Francisco. He once busted a psilocybin dealer in Golden Gate Park.…

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Politics

In defense of drug decriminalization – yes, in Oregon

The passage of Measure 110 was the culmination of years of efforts to show Oregonians and people across the country that the harms of incarceration can compound on, exacerbate, and – in some cases- exceed the harms caused by drug use itself. Oregon’s Health Authority has reported a 44 percent increase in people seeking treatment…

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Politics

Decriminalisation on the ground: Inside a drug consumption room in Lisbon

The Portuguese authorities have not stopped targeting organised crime. Law enforcement officials The Journal met in Lisbon confirmed that they are still seizing tonnes of drugs annually.  Psychologist Roberta Reis said many of the service users come from work in the evenings. “They come here and they can function normally,” she said. “We asked our service users…

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