Yesterday, the California State Assembly passed a bill that would legalize the personal possession and use of particular psychedelic substances.
The new legislation, Senate Bill 58, will return to the Senate (where it was passed earlier this year) for a final vote before heading to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval.
In its current version, the bill stands to legalize the possession and cultivation of small amounts of psychoactive plants and fungi for adults above the age of 21.
Originally drafted by Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill underwent significant changes in the Assembly before being upheld in a 42-11 vote.
Amendments imposed by the Assembly include the removal of ibogaine as a legalized substance, lowering possession limits, and pushing back the legislation’s start date to 2025.
The amended allowable psychedelic substance amounts are as follows: four grams mescaline; one gram DMT; one gram or up to one ounce of “a plant or fungi containing psilocybin;” and one gram or up to one ounce of “a plant or fungi containing psilocin.”
The decision to delay the legislation’s effect until 2025 will allow the California Health and Human Services Agency to create a working group that will study psychedelics and recommend strategies for regulating the therapeutic use of the drugs, which have shown potential to treat a variety of mental health conditions.
“California’s veterans, first responders, and others struggling with PTSD, depression, and addiction deserve access to these promising plant medicines,” Wiener said in a press release.
“We know these substances are not addictive, and they show tremendous promise in treating many of the most intractable conditions driving our nation’s mental health crisis,” he continued. “It’s time to stop criminalizing people who use psychedelics for healing or personal well-being.”
Featured image from Pexels.com. Credit: Tom Fisk.
