Warning UK faces ‘worst research blackout in history’ as Home Office falters on drug law
Back in May, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson approved the rescheduling of psilocybin to make it easier to research its therapeutic effects.
Months have passed, yet the Home Office has failed to act, “perpetuating what can be considered the worst research blackout in scientific history,” according to the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group (CDPRG).
Crispin Blunt MP, chairman of the CDPRG, is urging the Home Office to take action fast to tackle the mental health crisis. “In the 110 days that have passed since the PM’s sign off nearly 2,000 people have taken their own lives; the majority probably preventable when this research is translated into treatment,” he said.
A Home Office spokesperson said that there are currently no plans to reschedule psilocybin due to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, but they will consider any recommendations from The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which is reviewing the barriers to researching controlled drugs.