Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO) has successfully submitted an additional 14,000 signatures to qualify a psychedelics legalization initiative for the state’s November ballot. This follows a prior submission that prompted legislators to review the proposal, ultimately deciding against advancing it.
Emily Oneschuk, MMHO’s grassroots outreach director, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Massachusetts residents. She emphasized the initiative’s potential to provide accessible and affordable mental health care, particularly for veterans and other residents in need.
The initiative, known as the Natural Psychedelic Substances Act, seeks to legalize the possession, cultivation, and sharing of specified psychedelics for adults aged 21 and older. It includes provisions for establishing a regulatory framework similar to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission, tasked with overseeing licensed psychedelic service centers and setting guidelines for safe and equitable access.
Despite acknowledging the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT, a legislative committee recommended against broad recreational legalization, citing concerns over dual regulatory systems and potential safety implications.
If approved by voters, the initiative would enact significant policy changes, including civil fines for possession within specified limits and the creation of a commission to manage implementation timelines and tax revenues.
Stay tuned as the initiative progresses towards the November ballot, shaping Massachusetts’ approach to psychedelic reform.
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