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Healing the Armed Forces

Congress to Vote on Psychedelics Research Amendments for Active Military Members

The US government is funding psychedelic research to get military members the relief they deserve!

A new measure, filed by Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, would allow the Secretary of Defense to award research grants to study psychedelic therapy as a PTSD treatment for active military members.

The measure would allow any State or Federal agency, academic institution, or nonprofit to study the therapeutic effects of psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, or 5-MeO-DMT. If passed, funds could be used for Phase 2 clinical studies involving members of the Armed Forces or to train practitioners to offer the treatment.

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Perpetuating the worst research blackout in scientific history

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.

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Half a million Italians want to decriminalize mushrooms!

Italian Referendum To Decriminalize Marijuana, Psilocybin And Other Drug Plants Gets Half A Million Signatures

You may want to postpone your trip to Italy till next year 😉

Italian activists collected 500,000 signatures in favour of a referendum to decriminalize marijuana and psilocybin – enough to qualify for a ballot measure!

The referendum would remove Italy’s prohibition on cultivating psychoactive substances, but the further processing required to produce most narcotics would remain illegal. Fortunately, magic mushrooms are ready to enjoy after cultivation alone!

A vote is expected to take place in spring of 2022 given that the Court of Cassation and the Constitutional Court sign off on the measure after reviewing the petition. 

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Go sign this petition!

California Activists Cleared To Collect Signatures For Psilocybin Legalization Ballot Initiative

A California activist group, Decriminalize California, is working to get a psilocybin legalization measure on the 2022 ballot, and they’re making progress!

The measure, called the California Psilocybin Initiative, would allow the possession, use, cultivation, social sharing, and even the retail sale of psilocybin.

This week, the group was  cleared to begin collecting signatures for the initiative- they’ll need 623,212 registered voters to sign the petition within 180 days. Luckily, 2,800 people have already volunteered to help with the process.

“I feel pretty damn good honestly [about the prospects of the initiative]. People are so psyched for psychedelics,” said the director of the campaign.

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Ann Arbor paves the way

Dem introduces bill decriminalizing psychedelics, hopes to reverse some ‘War on Drugs’ impacts

Michigan could be the next state to decriminalize psilocybin!

Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) introduced a bill, SB 631, that would decriminalize the use, possession, cultivation, and delivery of psilocybin and mescaline.

The bill would also allow practitioners to use the psychedelics in counseling or spiritual guidance, but commercial sales would remain illegal.

The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan has already decriminalized psychedelics, and Detroit isn’t far behind with a decriminalization initiative to appear on the ballot this November.

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A faster application process

Biden’s Drug Czar Wants To Make It Easier To Research Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Substances

Take notes Health Canada…

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) wants to simplify the registration process for researchers to access Schedule I drugs like psilocybin to be on par with Schedule II substances, as stated in a letter to congressional leaders.

The new registration process would skip some of the “lengthy and cumbersome” steps to encourage research into Schedule I substances. Applicants would only need to provide a general research proposal, information on storage and security of the substance, and qualifications to conduct the research.

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Fighting for the right to try psilocybin

Washington Officials Join Cancer Patients In Federal Court Argument Pushing DEA To Allow Psilocybin Access

Back in March, a Seattle doctor sued the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for rejecting an application to use psilocybin in end-of-life treatment for cancer patients.

Now, Washington Officials are supporting the case, since Washington is one of 41 states that’ve passed a “right-to-try” law, which gives terminally ill patients access to investigational medicine in Phase I of the FDA approval process.

“It is entirely consistent with the purpose and language of the state and federal right-to-try laws to include any controlled substances that have completed Phase 1 trials, including Schedule I controlled substances,” said Washington Deputy Solicitor General Peter B. Gonick.

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Tackling Seattle’s opioid crisis

Seattle Overdose Task Force Calls for Decriminalization of All Drugs

Will Seattle be the next city to decriminalize psychedelics?

On Tuesday, Overdose Emergency Innovative Recovery (OEIR) task force made five policy recommendations to address Seattle’s ongoing opioid crisis, as requested by the City Council, including a call for the widespread decriminalization of all drugs.

The task force said that decriminalization, or potentially legalization and regulation, would promote research opportunities, create a safe supply, reduce the stigma of substance use, and could bring in billions of dollars in revenue to the state.

The OEIR believes psychedelic therapy could be a solution to the opioid crisis, noting its effectiveness in treating substance abuse disorder. The group is advocating for municipalities to deprioritize the enforcement of psychedelics and encourages State and federal officials to broaden access to psychedelic therapy.

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Denver Psychedelics Activists Push To Expand Psilocybin Decriminalization To Allow Gifting And Communal Use

In 2019, Denver became the first US city to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin.

Now, the same activists behind the campaign are on a mission to decriminalize the noncommercial gifting and communal use of psilocybin too.

The activists are also urging legislators to establish first-responder training on psychedelics harm reduction and promote public education on the responsible use of psilocybin.

“Colorado overall is among the worst states in the country in terms of adults experiencing mental health issues…Psilocybin mushrooms, clearly, have the potential to be a novel solution to these issues,” said Kevin Matthews, founder of Vote Nature.

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Slow and steady wins the race

California Bill To Legalize Psychedelics Possession Put On Pause Until 2022

California’s psychedelics decriminalization bill, SB519, has been put on hold until 2022, but it may be for the best.

The bill has already been approved by the Senate and 2 of 3 assembly committees, but has now been made into a two-year bill, meaning it won’t advance to the floor until next year.

Senator Scott Wiener (D), the bill’s sponsor, decided put things on pause as more time is needed to build the case for decriminalization and generate support.

“Now that we have more time, I’m optimistic through education and member engagement we can pass this critical legislation next year,” he explained.

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