California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that sought to decriminalize hallucinogens in the state, disappointing advocates who hoped the legislation would provide new avenues for mental health treatment. The bill, introduced by state senator Scott Wiener, aimed to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing natural psychedelics for personal use and establish a group to study their therapeutic use. However, Newsom expressed concerns about the lack of regulated treatment guidelines and the need for medical clearance before decriminalization takes place.
Wiener argued that the bill would help undo the harms of the “war on drugs” and provide veterans and others suffering from mental health issues with access to psychedelic plant medicines. Veterans’ groups supporting alternative therapies for trauma praised the legislation, emphasizing the importance of expanding access to psychedelic treatments.
Unhappy with the veto, Wiener has vowed to introduce new legislation in the future. Despite the setback, advocates are not giving up and are attempting to place initiatives on the 2024 ballot to expand psychedelic use in California. They have been inspired by Oregon’s successful efforts to decriminalize small quantities of hard drugs and provide controlled use of psilocybin.
It is worth noting that several cities in California, including Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Berkeley, have already decriminalized natural psychedelics. However, the veto can potentially be overridden by lawmakers with a two-thirds vote, although such attempts have not been made in decades.
Both Democrats and Republicans showed support for the bill, with some lawmakers acknowledging the need for alternative approaches to mental health care. The veto by Governor Newsom leaves the future of psychedelic decriminalization in California uncertain. Supporters of the legislation and veterans’ groups will continue their fight for expanded access to psychedelic treatments.
(This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.)
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