Massachusetts voters will decide on Nov. 5 whether to allow for home growth and therapeutic use of psychedelic plants and fungi, like “magic mushrooms.”
Ballot Question 4 would allow people older than 21 to grow and possess select amounts of five “natural psychedelic substances” that are found in plants and fungi, like psilocybin and mescaline.
Growers of these plants and fungi can operate in a 12-foot-by-12-foot space in the privacy of their home, and use their harvest in the home, as well.
The substances could also be purchased in specialized facilities, where use of them would be supervised by a licensed facilitator. They would still not be able to be sold in retail storefronts. Any sales of the substances would be subject to sales tax, a 15% excise tax and a possible local option tax if cities and towns decide to implement one.
The proposed law would create a five-person commission that would regulate the use and distribution of these substances.
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) said John Hopkins, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics, Walter Reed and others have been studying how psychedelics help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, anxiety, stress and other mental health issues.
“Once I saw this, and I saw how this actually helped and saved lives with people that have PTSD, I’m a firm believer in it,” he said.
Boldyga said it wouldn’t make it easier for people to access the substances, as there would be no retail aspect, but there would be a licensed facilitator aspect and the ability for personal consumption. Some restrictions would still be in place.
“You still can’t sell this,” he said. “You’re not allowed to drive under the influence, obviously, so all those parameters are still in place.”
As well, he rejects the idea that Question 4 would create a “black market” like some opponents claim.
Though he would like to change some parts of the proposed law, particularly when it comes to how it’ll be implemented, he still encourages people to vote “yes” on Question 4.
As reported by State House News Service, at a recent press event, state Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) also touted its mental health effects.
“Question 4 is about opening up access, and it’s about opening up access to an option for mental health treatment that research has shown to be powerful and can be taken safely,” he said.
Gomez also said the question would give options to people not helped by what’s currently available.
“This applies to those under hospice care, veterans with PTSD, our neighbors and loved ones whose daily lives are impacted by mental health challenges,” he said.
On the opposing side, Chris Keohan, spokesperson for the Coalition for Safe Communities, said the proposed law would allow for an “astronomical” amount of psychedelic plants and fungi to be grown in people’s homes. People using them in their homes wouldn’t have medical supervisors and could start self-medicating with them. Pets and children could also get access to them in the home, he said.
Because growers can cultivate an astronomical amount of plants and fungi, Keohan said they would have to give them away for free to family, friends and neighbors, what he referred to as a “gray market.” These plants and fungi would not be tested to ensure they were safe to consume.
“Think about the number of mushrooms that will be distributed. It will drastically increase the number,” he said.
On top of that, Keohan said studies show that some frequent users of psychedelics drive under their influence.
“Driving while high on psychedelics, you are literally seeing things that aren’t there. This poses a real significant threat to people,” he said.
On top of that still, Keohan said Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns wouldn’t be able to ban the specialized facilities where people can purchase psychedelics within their borders. Also, those facilities would not require a medical professional to be on site, he said.
In a recent WBUR/CommonWealth Beacon poll, 44% of the 800 participants opposed Question 4, while 42% supported it.
Massachusetts voters will face four other ballot questions this Election Day.
Material from the State House News Service was used in this report.
