Psilocybin decriminalization in the United States
{{short description|Movement to decriminalize psilocybin in the United States}}
File:Decriminalize Denver 2019 Poster.jpg became the first U.S. city to decriminalize psilocybin.]]
The movement to decriminalize psilocybin in the United States began in 2019 with Denver, Colorado, becoming the first city to decriminalize psilocybin in May of that year. The cities of Oakland and Santa Cruz, California, decriminalized psilocybin in June 2019 and January 2020, respectively. Washington, D.C., followed soon in November 2020, as did Somerville, Massachusetts, in January 2021, and then the neighboring Cambridge and Northampton in February 2021 and March 2021, respectively. Seattle, Washington, became the largest U.S. city on the growing list in October 2021. Detroit, Michigan, followed in November 2021.
Oregon voters passed a 2020 ballot measure making it the first state to both decriminalize psilocybin and also legalize its supervised use.{{Cite web |title=Oregon Has Become the First State to Legalize 'Magic' Mushrooms for Therapeutic Use. Here's What That Means |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-first-ever-state-to-legalize-psilocybin-for-therapeutic-use-2020-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107034344/https://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-first-ever-state-to-legalize-psilocybin-for-therapeutic-use-2020-11 |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2020-11-07 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web |date=3 November 2020 |title=Oregon Becomes First State to Legalize Psilocybin for Therapeutic Use |url=https://katu.com/news/your-voice-your-vote/oregon-becomes-first-state-to-legalize-psilocybin-for-therapeutic-use |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104065044/https://katu.com/news/your-voice-your-vote/oregon-becomes-first-state-to-legalize-psilocybin-for-therapeutic-use |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020}} Colorado followed with a similar measure in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jennifer |date=2022-11-10 |title=Colorado Becomes Second State to Legalize "Magic Mushrooms" |url=http://coloradosun.com/2022/11/09/proposition-122-colorado-results-psilocybin-mushrooms-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110005912/https://coloradosun.com/2022/11/09/proposition-122-colorado-results-psilocybin-mushrooms-2/ |archive-date=2022-11-10 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The Colorado Sun |language=en-US}} The use, sale, and possession of psilocybin in the United States is illegal under federal law.
Background
File:Psilocybe semilanceata 6514.jpg, a psilocybin mushroom species commonly sold in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Whalen |first=Andrew |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Magic Mushrooms Guide: Where Shrooms Are Legal and How to Take Psilocybin |url=https://www.newsweek.com/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-shrooms-denver-legal-how-take-1445041 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527050553/https://www.newsweek.com/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-shrooms-denver-legal-how-take-1445041 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Newsweek}}]]
Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug produced naturally by psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms". In the United States, it is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance that has "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The drug was banned by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.{{Cite web |last=Pollan |first=Michael |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Not So Fast on Psychedelic Mushrooms |url=https://www.nytimes.com./2019/05/10/opinion/denver-mushrooms-psilocybin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426215952/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/opinion/denver-mushrooms-psilocybin.html |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=The New York Times}} In the 2005 case of State of New Mexico vs David Ray Pratt, New Mexico's Court of Appeals found that if one grows psilocybin mushrooms for personal use, it is not considered "manufacturing of a controlled substance" under state law.{{Cite web |last=Massey |first=Barry |date=15 June 2015 |title=Court: Growing Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Not Illegal in N.M. |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apmush06-15-05.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210248/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apmush06-15-05.htm |archive-date=18 February 2018 |access-date=18 February 2018 |website=Albuquerque Journal}}Williams, Brett. "Mind the Magic Shrooms". Santa Fe Reporter. March 11, 2014.
In February 2019, Troy Farah of Wired reported on two grassroots movements in Oregon and the city of Denver, Colorado, that were pushing for the decriminalization of psilocybin. Advocates for decriminalizing psilocybin have formed their movement based on the rapid legalization of cannabis in the United States. As of August 2024, decriminalization efforts have not included synthetic psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and MDMA. American author Michael Pollan, writing for The New York Times, criticized the movement for being a premature push, "before the researchers have completed their work". He wrote, "We still have a lot to learn about the immense power and potential risk of these molecules, not to mention the consequences of unrestricted use." At the same time, he urged that "no one should ever be arrested or go to jail for the possession or cultivation of any kind of mushroom." Pollan acknowledged the low risks of the drug's use, but cited a survey that nearly eight percent of people needed psychiatric treatment after experiencing a bad trip. His end goal however is legalization not just for psilocybin therapy: "I look forward to the day when psychedelic medicines like psilocybin, having proven their safety and efficacy in F.D.A.-approved trials, will take their legal place in society, not only in mental health care but in the lives of people dealing with garden-variety unhappiness or interested in spiritual exploration and personal growth."
In May 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Right to Try Act, with certain doctors suggesting that it allows terminally ill patients to use psychedelics for treatment.{{Cite magazine |last=Troy Farah |date=February 7, 2019 |title=Inside the Push to Legalize Magic Mushrooms for Depression and PTSD |url=https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-push-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms-for-depression-and-ptsd/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129054736/https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-push-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms-for-depression-and-ptsd/ |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Adlin |first=Ben |date=March 10, 2021 |title=DEA Sued by Doctor Who Wants Permission to Give Psilocybin Mushrooms to Patients |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-sued-by-therapists-who-want-permission-to-give-psilocybin-mushrooms-to-patients/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318220330/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-sued-by-therapists-who-want-permission-to-give-psilocybin-mushrooms-to-patients/ |archive-date=2021-03-18 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} In October 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted psilocybin "breakthrough therapy" status for research.{{Cite web |last=Haridy |first=Rich |date=October 24, 2018 |title=Psychedelic Psilocybin Therapy for Depression Granted Breakthrough Therapy Status by FDA |url=https://newatlas.com/psilocybin-magic-mushrooms-depression-fda-breakthrough-therapy/56928/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217124253/https://newatlas.com/psilocybin-magic-mushrooms-depression-fda-breakthrough-therapy/56928 |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=New Atlas}} The drug was granted this status again in November 2019.{{Cite web |last=Yasemin Saplakoglu |date=November 25, 2019 |title=FDA Calls Psychedelic Psilocybin a 'Breakthrough Therapy' for Severe Depression |url=https://www.livescience.com/psilocybin-depression-breakthrough-therapy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527073651/https://www.livescience.com/psilocybin-depression-breakthrough-therapy.html |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Live Science}} Decriminalization advocates have cited research that suggests that the drug is non-addictive and causes a low amount of emergency visits when compared to other illegal drugs.{{Cite web |last=Esther Hoing |date=May 9, 2020 |title=In Close Vote, Denver Becomes 1st U.S. City to Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/09/721660053/in-close-vote-denver-becomes-first-u-s-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-mushroo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311010003/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/09/721660053/in-close-vote-denver-becomes-first-u-s-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-mushroo |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=NPR}} Other research has indicated the potential beneficial use of psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant depression and nicotine dependence. Advocates have also claimed that decriminalization would redirect law enforcement's attention and limited resources from policing private psychedelic usage, to higher priorities affecting the general public (e.g. violent crime).
Legality
[[File:Legality Psilocybin US map.svg|thumb|333x333px|Legality of psilocybin in the United States
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{{legend|#235267|Legal for supervised medical use and decriminalized}}
{{legend|#80ce69|Legal for supervised medical use}}
{{legend|#2298cb|Decriminalized}}
{{legend|#cbefff|States with decriminalized cities}}
{{legend|#d0d0d0|Fully illegal}}]]
=Decriminalization=
In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms after a ballot initiative narrowly won with 50.6% of the vote. The initiative did not legalize mushrooms but prohibited Denver from spending any resources to prosecute people for their use or possession. The law applies to adults over the age of 21, and psilocybin remained illegal in Colorado until the passing of Proposition 122 in November 2022.{{Cite magazine |last=Ducharme |first=Jamie |date=May 8, 2019 |title=Denver Approves Decriminalizing Psilocybin Mushrooms in Unofficial Results, As Public Support for Psychedelic Drug Research Grows |url=https://time.com/5585635/denver-magic-mushrooms-vote/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513215510/http://time.com/5585635/denver-magic-mushrooms-vote/ |archive-date=2019-05-13 |access-date=2019-05-09 |df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news |last=Blevins |first=Jason |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Denver Authorities Might Be Instructed to Look the Other Way on Magic Mushrooms, but They Remain Illegal |work=The Colorado Sun |url=https://coloradosun.com/2019/05/20/denver-magic-mushrooms-ballot-measure-still-criminal/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803160109/https://coloradosun.com/2019/05/20/denver-magic-mushrooms-ballot-measure-still-criminal/ |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |quote=The mushroom remains a federal Schedule 1 controlled substance, prohibited under state and federal law}}
The following month in June 2019, thirty individuals testified to the city council in Oakland, California, about their prior experiences with psilocybin. Following the testimonies, the city council unanimously voted to decriminalize the drug, along with peyote.{{Cite web |last1=Weise |first1=Elizabeth |last2=della Cava |first2=Marco |date=June 5, 2019 |title=Oakland in California Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms and Peyote |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/06/05/oakland-california-legalizes-magic-mushrooms-and-peyote/1347888001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305093853/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/06/05/oakland-california-legalizes-magic-mushrooms-and-peyote/1347888001/ |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=USA Today}}
In January 2020, Santa Cruz, California, voted unanimously to decriminalize the adult possession and cultivation of psilocybin.{{Cite web |last=Kelly McCarthy |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Santa Cruz Decriminalizes Psychedelic Mushrooms |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/santa-cruz-decriminalizes-psychedelic-mushrooms/story?id=68611065 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306154222/https://abcnews.go.com/US/santa-cruz-decriminalizes-psychedelic-mushrooms/story?id=68611065 |archive-date=March 6, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=ABC News}} Commercial sale of psilocybin is still illegal.{{Cite web |last=Harmeet Kaur |date=February 3, 2020 |title=Santa Cruz Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms and Other Natural Psychedelics, Making It the Third US City to Take Such a Step |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/30/us/santa-cruz-mushrooms-psychedelics-trnd/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329132318/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/30/us/santa-cruz-mushrooms-psychedelics-trnd/index.html |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=CNN}}
In September 2020, the City Council of Ann Arbor, Michigan, voted unanimously in favor of a resolution declaring the investigation or arrest of anyone for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with or possessing entheogenic plants or plant compounds to be the city's lowest law enforcement priority.{{Cite web |last=Stanton |first=Ryan |date=2020-09-22 |title=Ann Arbor OKs Move to Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms, Plants |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-oks-move-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-mushrooms-plants.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922085605/https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-oks-move-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-mushrooms-plants.html |archive-date=2020-09-22 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=MLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2020-09-22 |title=City Council Unanimously Votes to Decriminalize Psychedelics in Ann Arbor, Michigan |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/city-council-unanimously-votes-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-in-ann-arbor-michigan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924054211/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/city-council-unanimously-votes-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-in-ann-arbor-michigan/ |archive-date=2020-09-24 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
In November 2020, the state of Oregon became the first U.S. state to both decriminalize psilocybin and also legalize it for supervised non-medical use after the Ballot Measure 109 passed.
In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed initiative 81; the short title of the initiative was the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020 and it came into effect on March 15, 2021. It decriminalizes psilocybin drugs, which are psychedelics including magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, and mescaline, making arrests for their possession or use the lowest priority for DC police.{{Cite web |last=Pusatory |first=Matt |date=March 16, 2021 |title=Magic Mushrooms Officially Decriminalized in DC |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/dc-magic-mushroom-decriminalized-as-of-march-16/65-d7d47bdc-60f4-497d-81e9-e9db4d109406 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325223151/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/dc-magic-mushroom-decriminalized-as-of-march-16/65-d7d47bdc-60f4-497d-81e9-e9db4d109406 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=WUSA9}}{{Cite web |last=Beaujon |first=Andrew |date=March 15, 2021 |title=Magic Mushrooms Are Decriminalized in DC as of Today |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/03/15/magic-mushrooms-are-decriminalized-in-dc-as-of-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403235826/https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/03/15/magic-mushrooms-are-decriminalized-in-dc-as-of-today/ |archive-date=April 3, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=Washingtonian}}
In January 2021, Washtenaw County, Michigan, followed suit.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jerilyn |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Washtenaw County Says Cases Involving Natural Psychedelics Will No Longer Be Charged |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/washtenaw-county-prosecutor-announces-cases-involving-marijuana-magic-mushrooms-and-psychedelic-plants-will-no-longer-be-charged/Content?oid=26218702 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331175410/https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/washtenaw-county-prosecutor-announces-cases-involving-marijuana-magic-mushrooms-and-psychedelic-plants-will-no-longer-be-charged/Content?oid=26218702 |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Detroit Metro Times}} That same month, the City Council of Somerville, Massachusetts, voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms and ibogaine.{{Cite web |last=Margolin |first=Madison |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Breaking: Somerville, Massachusetts Votes to "Decriminalize Nature" |url=https://doubleblindmag.com/somerville-massachusetts-decriminalize-nature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115023839/https://doubleblindmag.com/somerville-massachusetts-decriminalize-nature/ |archive-date=2021-01-15 |access-date=2021-01-15 |website=DoubleBlind Mag |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-01-15 |title=Local Massachusetts Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Psychedelics Decriminalization Measure |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/local-massachusetts-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-measure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115204946/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/local-massachusetts-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-measure/ |archive-date=2021-01-15 |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
In February 2021, after continuous outreach by Decriminalize Nature Massachusetts and Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, the City Council of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in March 2021, Northampton, Massachusetts, followed.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=Agenda Item 211137 - Supporting the Decriminalization of Entheogenic Plants. |url=https://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?MeetingID=3289&ID=24035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715185231/https://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?MeetingID=3289&ID=24035 |archive-date=2021-07-15 |access-date=2021-10-27 |website=City of Somerville, MA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-03 |title=City Council Regular Meeting - Final Actions |url=https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2292&Inline=True |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=City of Cambridge |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183728/https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2292&Inline=True |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-03 |title=Cambridge City MA - Policy Order POR 2021 #24 |url=https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2834&MediaPosition=&ID=13403&CssClass= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420050315/https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2834&MediaPosition=&ID=13403&CssClass= |archive-date=2021-04-20 |access-date=2021-08-31 |website=City of Cambridge |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Marc |date=2021-02-04 |title=War on Use of Mushrooms, Cacti and Ayahuasca Has Been Called Off in Cambridge by Council Order |url=https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/02/04/war-on-use-of-mushrooms-cacti-and-ayahuasca-has-been-called-off-in-cambridge-by-council-order/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204135302/https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/02/04/war-on-use-of-mushrooms-cacti-and-ayahuasca-has-been-called-off-in-cambridge-by-council-order/ |archive-date=2021-02-04 |access-date=2021-02-04 |website=Cambridge Day |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Cambridge City Council Decriminalizes Psychedelics and Urges Police to End Drug Arrests More Broadly |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cambridge-city-council-decriminalizes-psychedelics-and-urges-police-to-end-drug-arrests-more-broadly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205012135/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cambridge-city-council-decriminalizes-psychedelics-and-urges-police-to-end-drug-arrests-more-broadly/ |archive-date=2021-02-05 |access-date=2021-02-05 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-04-02 |title=Third Massachusetts City Approves Psychedelics Decriminalization Measure |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/third-massachusetts-city-approves-psychedelics-decriminalization-measure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402165011/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/third-massachusetts-city-approves-psychedelics-decriminalization-measure/ |archive-date=2021-04-02 |access-date=2021-04-02 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dubey |first=Ritika |date=April 2, 2021 |title=Northampton, MA Third City to Decriminalize Psychedelics, Other Drugs |url=https://www.truffle.report/northampton-ma-third-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-other-drugs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022195545/https://www.truffle.report/northampton-ma-third-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-other-drugs/ |archive-date=2021-10-22 |access-date=2021-10-22 |website=Truffle Report |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-18 |title=R-21.207 A RESOLUTION DECRIMINALIZING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION AS WELL AS CULTIVATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PSYCHEDELIC PLANTS |url=https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/16349?fileID=145419 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506081841/https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/16349?fileID=145419 |archive-date=2022-05-06 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=Northampton, Massachusetts |language=en-US}}
In October 2021, the City Council of Seattle, Washington, and Arcata, California, voted unanimously to deprioritize enforcing entheogen prohibition.{{Cite news |last=Kary |first=Tiffany |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Seattle Votes to Decriminalize Psilocybin and Similar Substances |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-04/seattle-votes-to-decriminalize-psylocybin-and-similar-substances |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004233033/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-04/seattle-votes-to-decriminalize-psylocybin-and-similar-substances |archive-date=2021-10-04}}{{Cite web |last=Adlin |first=Ben |date=2021-10-04 |title=Seattle Becomes Largest U.S. City to Decriminalize Psychedelics |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/seattle-becomes-largest-u-s-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005000051/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/seattle-becomes-largest-u-s-city-to-decriminalize-psychedelics/ |archive-date=2021-10-05 |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=James |date=2021-10-07 |title=Arcata, California Decriminalizes Psychedelics |url=https://www.truffle.report/arcata-california-decriminalizes-psychedelics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007165618/https://www.truffle.report/arcata-california-decriminalizes-psychedelics/ |archive-date=2021-10-07 |access-date=2021-10-07 |website=Truffle Report |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-10-07 |title=Third California City Moves To Decriminalize Psychedelics As Reform Movement Expands |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/third-california-city-moves-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-as-reform-movement-expands/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007200755/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/third-california-city-moves-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-as-reform-movement-expands/ |archive-date=2021-10-07 |access-date=2021-10-08 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
On October 20, 2021, the City Council of Easthampton, Massachusetts, voted 7–0 on a non-binding resolution{{Cite web |date=2021-10-20 |title=A RESOLUTION PROTECTING ADULT ACCESS TO PLANT MEDICINES & PRIORITIZING PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSES TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION |url=https://easthamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2806/2021---A-Resolution-Protecting-Adult-Access-to-Plant-Medicines--Prioritizing-Public-Health-Responses-to-Controlled-Substance-Possession-PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128030415/https://easthamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2806/2021---A-Resolution-Protecting-Adult-Access-to-Plant-Medicines--Prioritizing-Public-Health-Responses-to-Controlled-Substance-Possession-PDF |archive-date=2021-11-28 |access-date=2021-11-27 |website=City of Easthampton |language=en-US}} to support ending arrests for the growing of entheogenic plants and fungi, as well as to support decriminalization of the possession of most controlled substances.{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=James |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Easthampton, Massachusetts Votes to Decriminalize, End Arrests for Growing Psychedelics |url=https://www.truffle.report/easthampton-massachusetts-votes-to-decriminalize-end-arrests-for-growing-psychedelics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022030612/https://www.truffle.report/easthampton-massachusetts-votes-to-decriminalize-end-arrests-for-growing-psychedelics/ |archive-date=2021-10-22 |access-date=2021-10-22 |website=Truffle Report |language=en-US}}
On November 3, 2021, Detroit voters approved Proposal E, making Detroit the latest city to "decriminalize nature", as supporters call it.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-05 |title=City of Detroit City Council, Legislative Policy Division, Proposal E: Entheogenic Plants |url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2021-10/Memo%20Proposal%20E%20review.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116211604/https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2021-10/Memo%20Proposal%20E%20review.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-16 |access-date=2021-11-05 |website=detroitmi.gov |language=en}} Proposal E, a ballot initiative, passed with 61% of voters supporting a law that will, "to the fullest extent permitted under Michigan law", make "the personal possession and therapeutic use of entheogenic plants by adults the city's lowest law-enforcement priority".{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=Detroit Mushroom Vote Adds Momentum to Michigan Efforts to Decriminalize Psychedelics |url=https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/11/detroit-mushroom-vote-adds-momentum-to-michigan-efforts-to-decriminalize-psychedelics.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103174410/https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/11/detroit-mushroom-vote-adds-momentum-to-michigan-efforts-to-decriminalize-psychedelics.html |archive-date=2021-11-03 |access-date=2021-11-03 |website=MLive |language=en}}
On December 20, 2021, the city of Port Townsend, Washington, adopted a resolution requesting that "investigating, arrest, and prosecution of adults engaging in entheogen-related activities, included but not limited to... should be a City of Port Townsend low enforcement priority when done in a nonpublic place".{{Cite web |date=2021-12-20 |title=City of Detroit City Council, Resolution 21-088 |url=http://weblink.cityofpt.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=203568&page=1&cr=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228210337/http://weblink.cityofpt.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=203568&page=1&cr=1 |archive-date=2021-12-28 |access-date=2021-12-20 |website=City of Port Townsend |language=en}}
On March 22, 2022, Hazel Park became the third Michigan city to decriminalize natural psychedelics.{{Cite web |last=Neavling |first=Steve |title=Hazel Park Becomes Third Michigan City to Decriminalize Natural Psychedelics |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/weed/hazel-park-becomes-third-michigan-city-to-decriminalize-natural-psychedelics-29617358 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103044020/https://www.metrotimes.com/weed/hazel-park-becomes-third-michigan-city-to-decriminalize-natural-psychedelics-29617358 |archive-date=2023-01-03 |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Detroit Metro Times |language=en}}
On September 7, 2022, San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a measure calling for the decriminalization of the use of entheogenic plants.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |title=City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors |url=https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5742708&GUID=94A234BE-CD31-4676-AF87-E32FB3C52027 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908175145/https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5742708&GUID=94A234BE-CD31-4676-AF87-E32FB3C52027 |archive-date=2022-09-08 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=City of San Francisco |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2022-09-07 |title=San Francisco Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Psychedelics Decriminalization Resolution |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/san-francisco-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-resolution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907153247/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/san-francisco-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-resolution/ |archive-date=2022-09-07 |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
In March 2022, Colorado activists picked a psychedelic reform initiative (Proposition 122) out of three other similar initiatives and started a signature campaign to place the measure on the state's 2022 election ballot. By July 2022, the reform initiative made the Colorado ballot for the 2022 midterm elections.{{Cite web |title=Psychedelic Mushrooms Will Be on the Colorado Ballot in November – Maybe More Than Once |date=22 July 2022 |url=https://www.cpr.org/2022/07/22/psychedelic-mushrooms-will-be-on-the-colorado-ballot-in-november-maybe-more-than-once/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815182247/https://www.cpr.org/2022/07/22/psychedelic-mushrooms-will-be-on-the-colorado-ballot-in-november-maybe-more-than-once/ |archive-date=2022-08-15 |access-date=2022-08-17}} The ballot initiative was passed in November 2022 by over 50% of those who voted. It decriminalizes the possession, growing, and sharing of five psychedelics for personal use: psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline, for those aged 21-years-old and over. The initiative also legalized "healing centers" that are licensed by the state's Department of Regulatory Agencies, where those aged 21 and over can buy, consume, and take psychedelics under supervision. This healing center programme is expected to begin in 2024. It will at first only include psilocybin but allows for expansion to include DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in 2026.{{Cite magazine |last=Law |first=Tara |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Colorado Voted to Decriminalize Psilocybin and Other Psychedelics |url=https://time.com/6232212/colorado-decriminalizes-psychedelics-psilocybin-proposition-122/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time (magazine) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116094108/https://time.com/6232212/colorado-decriminalizes-psychedelics-psilocybin-proposition-122/ |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=November 16, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Jefferies |first=Danica |date=2022-11-12 |title=Colorado Just Legalized 'Magic Mushrooms,' an Idea That's Growing Nationwide |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/12/colorado-just-legalized-magic-mushrooms-an-idea-thats-growing-nationwide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130051351/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/12/colorado-just-legalized-magic-mushrooms-an-idea-thats-growing-nationwide.html |archive-date=2022-11-30 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
On February 27, 2023, Ferndale, Michigan, became the fourth city in Michigan to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.{{Cite web |title=Ferndale decriminalizes magic mushrooms and other psychedelics |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/weed/ferndale-decriminalizes-magic-mushrooms-and-other-psychedelics-32494825 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012948/https://www.metrotimes.com/weed/ferndale-decriminalizes-magic-mushrooms-and-other-psychedelics-32494825 |archive-date=2023-10-11 |access-date=2023-10-09}}
In May 2023, Jefferson County, Washington, decriminalized the use of entheogenic plants and fungi.{{Cite web |last=Neavling |first=Steve |title=Jefferson County De-Prioritizes Psychedelics |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/jefferson-county-de-prioritizes-psychedelics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503103405/https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/jefferson-county-de-prioritizes-psychedelics/ |archive-date=2023-05-03 |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Peninsula Daily News |language=en}}
On July 11, 2023, Berkeley, California, became the fifth city in California to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.{{Cite web |title=Berkeley Vote Spreads Psychedelic Decriminalization in the Bay Area |date=14 July 2023 |url=https://filtermag.org/berkeley-psychedelic-decriminalization/amp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012948/https://filtermag.org/berkeley-psychedelic-decriminalization/amp/ |archive-date=2023-10-11 |access-date=2023-10-09}}
On July 23, 2023, Minneapolis, Minnesota, decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi via mayoral executive order.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-23 |title=Minneapolis backs off arrests for psychedelic plant use |url=https://apnews.com/article/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-psychedelic-minneapolis-minnesota-c20c90441102f0da6859a762bc1efcf4 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=AP News |language=en}}
On October 3, 2023, the City Council in Portland, Maine, has voted to deprioritize the local enforcement of laws against psychedelic plants and fungi.{{Cite web |last=Adlin |first=Ben |date=2023-10-03 |title=Maine's Biggest City Passes Legislation To Decriminalize Psychedelic Plants And Fungi |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/maines-biggest-city-passes-legislation-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-plants-and-fungi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006164126/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/maines-biggest-city-passes-legislation-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-plants-and-fungi/ |archive-date=2023-10-06 |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
In October 2023, 'Massachusetts for Mental Health Options' received approval from the state attorney general to pursue a ballot initiative for the 2024 elections. This initiative seeks to legalize psychedelics, including home cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi, in Massachusetts.{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts Psychedelics Legalization Campaign To Include Home Cultivation |url=https://massachusettsindependent.com/massachusetts-psychedelics-legalization-campaign-to-include-home-cultivation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113173824/https://massachusettsindependent.com/massachusetts-psychedelics-legalization-campaign-to-include-home-cultivation/ |archive-date=2023-11-13 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Massachusetts Independent}}{{Cite web |last=Steiner |first=Allan |date=2024-10-29 |title=Psychedelics on the Ballot in Massachusetts |url=https://www.lucid.news/psychedelics-on-the-ballot-in-massachusetts/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Lucid News |language=en-US}}
On August 13, 2024, the City Council in Olympia, Washington, decriminalized plant-based hallucinogens, including psilocybin mushrooms.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Kipp |title=Olympia City Council effectively decriminalizes some psychedelics |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/olympia/olympia-decriminalizing-psychedelic-plants-fungi/281-3a5dbe36-73e9-41ae-be39-0413a602e65c |access-date=9 September 2024 |agency=King 5 |date=13 August 2024}}
On January 28, 2025, the City Council in Tacoma, Washington, decriminalized natural psychedelics containing tryptamines, phenethylamines, and indolamines.
=Supported adult use=
On May 26, 2020, Oregon state initiatives to legalize supported or supervised adult use of psilocybin (Measure 109) and also decriminalize it (Measure 110) qualified to appear on the ballot in November. On November 3, 2020, both measures were approved by voters in Oregon.{{Cite web |last=Feuer |first=Will |date=2020-11-04 |title=Oregon becomes first state to legalize magic mushrooms as more states ease drug laws in 'psychedelic renaissance' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/oregon-becomes-first-state-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms-as-more-states-ease-drug-laws.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104155737/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/oregon-becomes-first-state-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms-as-more-states-ease-drug-laws.html |archive-date=2020-11-04 |access-date=2020-11-04 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
On March 24 2025, Colorado State Regulators issued the first sets of Licenses for Medical Assisted Use. The dawn of state-regulated psychedelic mushrooms has arrived in Colorado, nearly two years since Oregon began offering them. The mushrooms are a Schedule I drug and illegal under federal law except for clinical research. But more than a dozen cities nationwide have deprioritized or decriminalized them in the past five years, and many eyes are turned toward Oregon's and Colorado's state-regulated programs. "In Oregon and Colorado, we're going to learn a lot about administration of psychedelics outside of clinical, religious and underground settings because they're the first to try this in the U.S.," said William R. Smith, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/colorado-psychedelic-mushroom-experiment-arrived/story?id=120109227
On April 8 2025, New Mexico’s governor signed a bill into law to establish a therapeutic psilocybin program in the state. Weeks after the proposal from Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D) advanced through the legislature, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) gave it final approval on Monday. The Medical Psilocybin Act will allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to access the psychedelic and use it under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-mexico-governor-signs-bill-to-create-psilocybin-therapy-program-legalizing-medical-use-of-the-psychedelic/
By state
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Ongoing efforts
A 2018 effort to decriminalize psilocybin in California failed to garner enough signatures.{{Cite news |last=Esther Honig |date=May 7, 2019 |title=A Growing Push To Loosen Laws Around Psilocybin, Treat Mushrooms As Medicine |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/07/720828367/a-growing-push-to-loosen-laws-around-psilocybin-treat-mushrooms-as-medicine |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226134136/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/07/720828367/a-growing-push-to-loosen-laws-around-psilocybin-treat-mushrooms-as-medicine |archive-date=February 26, 2020}} In February 2019, Iowa state lawmaker Jeff Shipley introduced two bills that would legalize medical psilocybin and remove the drug from the state's list of controlled substances. In June 2019, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed legislation that would remove restrictions placed on researching the medical use of psilocybin.{{Cite web |last=Alexis Reliford |date=June 9, 2019 |title=AOC Wants It To Be Easier To Study Magic Mushrooms & Other Psychedelics |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/234920/aoc-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-mdma-legalize-medical-study |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004003505/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/234920/aoc-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-mdma-legalize-medical-study |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Refinery 29}} By November 2019, nearly 100 U.S. cities were reportedly considering measures to decriminalize psilocybin.{{Cite web |last=Kyle Jaeger |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Nearly 100 Cities Are Considering Decriminalizing Psychedelics, Map Shows |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nearly-100-cities-are-considering-decriminalizing-psychedelics-map-shows/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430032105/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nearly-100-cities-are-considering-decriminalizing-psychedelics-map-shows/ |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Marijuana Moment}}
In January 2020, a Vermont state lawmaker, along with three other co-sponsors, introduced a bill to decriminalize psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca, and kratom.{{Cite web |last=Dom Amato |date=January 23, 2020 |title=Should Vermont decriminalize some hallucinogenic drugs? |url=https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Should-Vermont-decriminalize-some-hallucinogenic-drugs-567241491.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621100953/https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Should-Vermont-decriminalize-some-hallucinogenic-drugs-567241491.html |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |publisher=WCAX-TV}}{{Cite web |last=Kyle Jaeger |date=January 22, 2020 |title=New Vermont Bill Would Decriminalize Psychedelics And Kratom |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-vermont-bill-would-decriminalize-psychedelics-and-kratom/ |access-date=May 29, 2020 |website=Marijuana Movement |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183612/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-vermont-bill-would-decriminalize-psychedelics-and-kratom/ |url-status=live }} On May 26, 2020, an initiative in Oregon to legalize supervised psilocybin use qualified to appear on the ballot in November.{{Cite web |last=Mapes |first=Jeff |date=2020-07-08 |title=Psilocybin Measure Approved For Oregon's November Ballot |url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/psychedelic-mushrooms-psilocybin-measure-approved-oregon-november-ballot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818233153/https://www.opb.org/news/article/psychedelic-mushrooms-psilocybin-measure-approved-oregon-november-ballot/ |archive-date=2020-08-18 |access-date=2020-08-24 |website=opb}} Another initiative in Oregon would decriminalize drug possession and expand treatment services.{{Cite web |last=Kyle Jaeger |date=May 26, 2020 |title=Psilocybin Treatment And Drug Decrim Campaigns Submit Signatures To Qualify For Oregon Ballot |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/psilocybin-treatment-and-drug-decrim-campaigns-submit-signatures-to-qualify-for-oregon-ballot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603213259/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/psilocybin-treatment-and-drug-decrim-campaigns-submit-signatures-to-qualify-for-oregon-ballot/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Marijuana Moment}} In May 2020, New York Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal introduced a decriminalization bill, citing ongoing medical research and successful efforts in Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz,{{Cite web |last=Newsfile Corp |date=May 5, 2020 |title=This is Why Lawmakers are Pushing to Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-lawmakers-pushing-decriminalize-psychedelic-120700426.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603135550/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-lawmakers-pushing-decriminalize-psychedelic-120700426.html |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |publisher=Yahoo! Finance}} and filed further bills regarding psychedelics in the following years.{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2022-12-30 |title=New York Lawmakers File Psychedelics Legalization Bill For 2023 |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-lawmakers-file-psychedelics-legalization-bill-for-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114182241/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-lawmakers-file-psychedelics-legalization-bill-for-2023/ |archive-date=2023-01-14 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} In November 2020, New Jersey senator Nicholas Scutari added an amendment to a marijuana decriminalization bill that would decriminalize up to one ounce of psilocybin.{{Cite web |last=Amanda Hoover {{!}} NJ Advance Media For NJ. com |date=2020-11-16 |title=Marijuana decriminalization stalls in N.J. Assembly after lawmakers add magic mushrooms to the bill. Senate moves forward. |url=https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/marijuana-decriminalization-stalls-in-nj-assembly-after-lawmakers-add-magic-mushrooms-to-the-bill.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116191128/https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/11/marijuana-decriminalization-stalls-in-nj-assembly-after-lawmakers-add-magic-mushrooms-to-the-bill.html |archive-date=2020-11-16 |access-date=2020-11-16 |website=nj |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=4 February 2021 |title=Murphy signs bill easing penalties for 'magic' mushrooms in N.J. |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/02/murphy-signs-bill-easing-penalties-for-magic-mushrooms-in-nj.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102230356/https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/02/murphy-signs-bill-easing-penalties-for-magic-mushrooms-in-nj.html |archive-date=2 January 2022 |access-date=2 January 2022}}
In November 2020, California Senator Scott Wiener introduced a bill to decriminalize psychedelics such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and LSD.{{Cite web |last=Adlin |first=Ben |date=2020-11-11 |title=California Could Decriminalize Psychedelics Under New State And Local Proposals |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-could-decriminalize-psychedelics-under-new-state-and-local-proposals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114021559/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-could-decriminalize-psychedelics-under-new-state-and-local-proposals/ |archive-date=2020-11-14 |access-date=2020-11-16 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Vivian |date=2020-11-20 |title='The war on drugs failed': California lawmaker will push to decriminalize psychedelics |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/20/california-lawmaker-decriminalize-psychedelics |url-status=live |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202114928/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/20/california-lawmaker-decriminalize-psychedelics |archive-date=2020-12-02 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Lozano |first=Alicia Victoria |date=2021-02-18 |title=New California bill would decriminalize psychedelics, expunge criminal records |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-california-bill-would-decriminalize-psychedelics-expunge-criminal-records-n1258261 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224231603/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-california-bill-would-decriminalize-psychedelics-expunge-criminal-records-n1258261 |archive-date=2021-02-24 |access-date=2021-02-25 |website=NBC News |language=en}}
In April 2021, the bill was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Health Committee,{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-04-14 |title=California Bill To Legalize Possession Of Psychedelics Clears Second Senate Committee |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-possession-of-psychedelics-clears-second-senate-committee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416063303/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-possession-of-psychedelics-clears-second-senate-committee/ |archive-date=2021-04-16 |access-date=2021-04-16 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} and in May 2021, it was cleared by the Senate Appropriations Committee and approved by the California Senate.{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-05-20 |title=California Bill To Legalize Possession Of Psychedelics Heads To Senate Floor After Committee Action |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-possession-of-psychedelics-heads-to-senate-floor-after-committee-action/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521235314/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-possession-of-psychedelics-heads-to-senate-floor-after-committee-action/ |archive-date=2021-05-21 |access-date=2021-05-22 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Renda |first=Matthew |date=2021-06-02 |title=California Senate Approves Psychedelic Decriminalization Bill |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/california-senate-approves-psychedelic-decriminalization-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602020714/https://www.courthousenews.com/california-senate-approves-psychedelic-decriminalization-bill/ |archive-date=2021-06-02 |access-date=2021-06-02 |website=Courthouse News Service |language=en-US}} In June 2021, the bill was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee,{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-06-29 |title=California Lawmakers Approve Bill To Legalize Psychedelics Possession In Committee |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-lawmakers-approve-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-in-committee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709172122/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-lawmakers-approve-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-in-committee/ |archive-date=2021-07-09 |access-date=2021-06-30 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} and in July 2021, it was cleared by the Assembly Health Committee.{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-07-14 |title=California Bill To Legalize Psychedelics Possession Advances Again, With New Amendments That Add Limits |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-advances-again-with-new-amendments-that-add-limits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528231544/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-advances-again-with-new-amendments-that-add-limits/ |archive-date=2022-05-28 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} In December 2022, it was re-introduced in a slightly modified form as Senate Bill 58, which does not include MDMA or LSD, which were both included in the earlier attempt under SB519. On September 7, 2023, Senate Bill 58 passed in the California Legislature but was quickly vetoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on October 7, 2023. {{Cite web |last=Cadena |first=Monica |date=2022-12-19 |title=New Bill Tries to Decriminalize Psychedelics in California—Again |url=https://doubleblindmag.com/california-sb-58/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221103731/https://doubleblindmag.com/california-sb-58/ |archive-date=2022-12-21 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=DoubleBlind Mag |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2022-12-19 |title=California Senator Files Revised Psychedelics Legalization Bill For 2023—Leaving Out LSD, MDMA And Other Synthetics |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-senator-files-revised-psychedelics-legalization-bill-for-2023-leaving-out-lsd-mdma-and-other-synthetics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221103720/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-senator-files-revised-psychedelics-legalization-bill-for-2023-leaving-out-lsd-mdma-and-other-synthetics/ |archive-date=2022-12-21 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
In September 2021, Michigan senators Jeff Irwin and Adam Hollier introduced SB631, which would create exemptions in the Michigan Health Code allowing personal and communal use, possession, cultivation, transportation and delivery of naturally occurring substances. It is the first of "Decriminalize Nature" led efforts that would allow financial gain for services that utilize these substances. SB 631 was assigned to the Michigan Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee but did not advance.{{Cite web |title=SB 631 |url=https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/mi/2021-2022/bills/MIB00019534/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527190153/https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/mi/2021-2022/bills/MIB00019534/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Fast Democracy}}
In November 2021, activists were advancing reform among others in Grand Rapids, Michigan.{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2021-08-26 |title=California Bill To Legalize Psychedelics Possession Put On Pause Until 2022 |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-put-on-pause-until-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901225257/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-bill-to-legalize-psychedelics-possession-put-on-pause-until-2022/ |archive-date=2021-09-01 |access-date=2021-09-07 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
On January 5, 2022, Washington State legislators proposed Senate Bill 5660 which would legalize psilocybin for “supported use” among adults over 21.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-10 |title=Washington State Senate Bill 5660 |url=https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5660.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106004519/https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5660.pdf |archive-date=2022-01-06 |access-date=2022-01-10 |website=Access Washington |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Margolin |first=Madison |date=2022-01-07 |title=Washington State Lawmakers Consider a Psilocybin Legalization Bill |url=https://doubleblindmag.com/washington-psilocybin-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109104128/https://doubleblindmag.com/washington-psilocybin-bill/ |archive-date=2022-01-09 |access-date=2022-01-09 |website=DoubleBlind Mag |language=en-US}}
For the 2023 session, lawmakers in eleven states are pursuing psychedelics reform legislation.{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2023-01-09 |title=Lawmakers Are Already Pursuing Psychedelics Legislation In Nearly A Dozen States For 2023 |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/lawmakers-are-already-pursuing-psychedelics-legislation-in-nearly-a-dozen-states-for-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116030400/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/lawmakers-are-already-pursuing-psychedelics-legislation-in-nearly-a-dozen-states-for-2023/ |archive-date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}}
On September 7, 2023, Senate Bill 58 was passed by the California Senate with 21 ayes and 14 noes. This bill would have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of psilocybin and psilocin (among some other psychedelics) for adults aged 21 and above. However, it was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 7, who urged the legislature to send him legislation that includes therapeutic guidelines.{{Cite web |last=Herrington |first=A. J. |date=2023-09-08 |title=California Senate Passes Amended Psychedelics Legalization Bill |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2023/09/08/california-senate-passes-amended-psychedelics-legalization-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009221908/https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2023/09/08/california-senate-passes-amended-psychedelics-legalization-bill/ |archive-date=2023-10-09 |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bill Status - SB-58 Controlled substances: decriminalization of certain hallucinogenic substances. |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB58 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012948/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB58 |archive-date=2023-10-11 |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}
A bill introduced in May, 2024, by New York State Representative Amy Paulin would allow people 18 and older to undergo a health screening, take an educational course, and pass a test to obtain a permit to grow mushrooms or purchase psilocybin from licensed vendors.{{Cite web |last=Jarow |first=Oshan |date=2024-07-21 |title=How should we sell psychedelics? |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/360200/how-to-buy-psychedelics-lsd-shrooms-stores |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}
In November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law proposed by initiative petition that would have legalized the possession and personal cultivation of certain naturally occurring psychedelics for people over the age of 21.{{cite web |last=Larson |first=Shannon |last2=Lazar |first2=Kay |last3=Huynh |first3=Anjali |title=Mass. voters reject Question 4, blocking decriminalization of certain psychedelics |website=Boston Globe |date=2024-11-06 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/05/metro/massachusetts-ballot-question-4-psychedelics-magic-mushrooms/ |access-date=2025-02-04}}
Since the start of the 2025 legislative session, more than 36 psychedelics-related bills have been introduced across more than a dozen states.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=2025’s Psychedelic Policy Surge: A State-by-State, Bill-by-Bill Analysis |url=https://psychedelicalpha.com/news/2025s-psychedelic-policy-surge-a-state-by-state-bill-by-bill-analysis |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Psychedelic Alpha |language=en-US}}
Public opinion
In January 2019, the Oregon Psilocybin Society and research firm DHM Research found that 47 percent of Oregon voters supported the legalization of medical psilocybin, while 46 percent opposed it. The percentage of voters in favor increased to 64 percent after key elements of the ballot were clarified to the poll's participants.{{Cite web |last=Kyle Jaeger |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Most Oregon Voters Favor Legalizing Psilocybin Mushrooms For Medical Use, Poll Finds |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/most-oregon-voters-favor-legalizing-psilocybin-mushrooms-for-medical-use-poll-finds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507054531/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/most-oregon-voters-favor-legalizing-psilocybin-mushrooms-for-medical-use-poll-finds/ |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Marijuana Moment}} In November 2020, a ballot measure to legalize medical psilocybin passed with 55.8% of voters in favor.{{Cite news |date=3 November 2020 |title=Oregon Measure 109 Election Results: Legalize Psilocybin |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-oregon-measure-109-legalize-psilocybin.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105200358/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-oregon-measure-109-legalize-psilocybin.html |archive-date=5 November 2020}}
An October 2019 online poll conducted by research firm Green Horizons found that 38 percent of U.S. adults supported legalizing psilocybin "under at least some circumstances."{{Cite web |last=Edward Thomas |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Poll Indicates America's Growing Acceptance Of Psilocybin Mushrooms |url=https://hightimes.com/news/poll-indicates-americas-growing-acceptance-psilocybin-mushrooms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531051925/https://hightimes.com/news/poll-indicates-americas-growing-acceptance-psilocybin-mushrooms/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=High Times}}
According to a survey in Washington, D.C., done at the beginning of September 2020, voters support the initiative to decriminalize psychedelic plants and fungi. The number of voters in favor increased by nine percentage points since April 2020. A key factor, respondents reported, is that they have learned more about the legislation in question. While 60 percent of participants said they would vote “yes” for Initiative 81, 24 percent said they planned to vote “no,” and 16 percent remained undecided.{{Cite web |last=McPadden |first=Mike |date=2020-09-03 |title=3 in 5 Voters in Washington DC Are Down to Decriminalize Psychedelics, New Poll Shows |url=https://merryjane.com/news/3-in-5-voters-in-washington-dc-are-down-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-new-poll-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003221550/https://merryjane.com/news/3-in-5-voters-in-washington-dc-are-down-to-decriminalize-psychedelics-new-poll-says |archive-date=2020-10-03 |access-date=2020-09-08 |website=MERRY JANE |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jaeger |first=Kyle |date=2020-09-02 |title=Three-In-Five DC Voters Support Psychedelics Decriminalization Initiative, New Poll Finds |url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/three-in-five-dc-voters-support-psychedelics-decriminalization-initiative-new-poll-finds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923190739/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/three-in-five-dc-voters-support-psychedelics-decriminalization-initiative-new-poll-finds/ |archive-date=2020-09-23 |access-date=2020-09-08 |website=Marijuana Moment |language=en-US}} In November 2020, on Election Day, 76 percent of voters in Washington, D.C., voted in favor of the initiative.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-04 |title=Washington, D.C., Initiative 81, Entheogenic Plants and Fungus Measure (2020) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Washington,_D.C.,_Initiative_81,_Entheogenic_Plants_and_Fungus_Measure_(2020) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104084222/https://ballotpedia.org/Washington,_D.C.,_Initiative_81,_Entheogenic_Plants_and_Fungus_Measure_(2020) |archive-date=2020-11-04 |website=ballotpedia.org}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2020-11-04 |title=Oregon Decriminalizes All Drugs, While D.C. Decriminalizes Psychedelics |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/oregon-decriminalizes-all-drugs-while-d-c-decriminalizes-psychedelics-1085109/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104143431/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/oregon-decriminalizes-all-drugs-while-d-c-decriminalizes-psychedelics-1085109/ |archive-date=2020-11-04 |access-date=2020-11-04}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-04 |title=General Election 2020 - Election Night Unofficial Results |url=https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2020-General-Election |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104020833/https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2020-General-Election |archive-date=2020-11-04}}
A UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey published in July 2023 suggested that 61% of registered voters in the U.S. support legalizing regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics. It also suggested that almost half (49%) of registered voters in the U.S. are in support of the decriminalization of personal use and possession of psychedelics.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2023 |title=UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics Unveils Results of the First-Ever Berkeley Psychedelics Survey |url=https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/bcsp-first-study-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916040535/https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/bcsp-first-study-results/ |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=psychedelics.berkeley.edu |publisher=UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP)}}{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Tiah |date=September 7, 2023 |title=California lawmakers approve psychedelics decriminalization bill |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4192350-california-lawmakers-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-bill/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913003120/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4192350-california-lawmakers-approve-psychedelics-decriminalization-bill/ |archive-date=September 13, 2023}}
See also
References
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External links
- [https://psilocybinalpha.com/data/psychedelic-laws Psychedelic Legalization & Decriminalization Tracker] produced by [https://www.calyxlaw.com Calyx Law] and [https://emergelawgroup.com/ Emerge Law Group]
Category:Drug policy of the United States