California senators approve psychedelic legalization bill in committee

The push for psychedelics is gaining momentum in California. While Some cities in the state have already adopted To decriminalize the personal use of psychedelics, a Senate committee has approved a bill aimed at legalizing the possession of certain psychedelics and facilitating the use of these substances.

The bill introduced by Democratic Senator Scott Wiener—which was reintroduced in December after a broader version was rejected during the last session—was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee in a 3-to-1 vote, last Tuesday, and will next be referred to the Finance Committee.

The measure would legalize «the possession, preparation, acquisition, transfer, as specified, or transportation» of specific quantities of psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline for personal or facilitated use. The «synthetic» psychedelics such as LSD and MDMA would not be legalized.

Peyote is also excluded from the bill’s list of legalized substances, in part because of the risk of overharvesting this vulnerable cactus, which is used for ceremonial purposes by certain Indigenous peoples in California.

The «Permitted Quantity» section of the bill sets the following limits on the possession of psychedelics:

• DMT: 2 grams
• Ibogaine: 15 grams
• Psilocybin and psilocin: 2 grams, or up to 4 ounces (112 grams) of a plant or mushroom containing these substances

In addition to legalizing personal possession, the bill also includes specific provisions for «group counseling and community-based recovery.» involving entheogenic substances.

It would also repeal the state law prohibiting «any spores or mycelium capable of producing mushrooms or other materials containing psilocybin or psilocin.».

«These are not addictive drugs. And these are drugs that have significant potential to help people cope and become healthy—people who have mental health issues or substance use disorders,» Senator Wiener said during Tuesday’s hearing.

«We know that cities in California and elsewhere have passed resolutions to classify the enforcement of these specific criminal laws as the lowest priority for law enforcement,» he added. «This is an important step for California. It’s about ensuring that people have access to the substances they need that are not addictive.»