State legislators will debate a bill next year that seeks to decriminalize psychedelic drugs statewide as three California cities and several others nationwide have moved to do the same.
Senate Bill 519, drafted by State Senator Scott Weiner (D.-San Francisco), cites a growing body of scientific evidence showing that the substances can help treat mental disorders and addiction—in particular, post-traumatic stress disorder experienced by combat veterans.
The law would apply to Californians aged 21 and older, permitting them to possess small quantities of psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for personal use.
Senate discussion of S.B. 519 has been pushed to next year.
“While I’m disappointed we couldn’t pass S.B. 519 this year, I’m heartened that the bill moved as deep into the process as it did and that we have a realistic chance of passing it next year,” Weiner said in a statement. Now that we have more time, I’m optimistic through education and member engagement we can pass this critical legislation next year. Decriminalizing psychedelics is an important step in ending the failed ‘War on Drugs,’ and we are committed to this fight.”
S.B. 519 would not decriminalize sale of psychedelics, however.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran Juliana Mercer told KTLA taking psychedelics under doctor supervision between deployments changed her life.
“I spent five years with the wounded and every day I absorbed and saw the cost of our country being at war,” she said. “So finding something that actually was working was huge. I’m like a brand new person.”
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