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Government-funded shroom trip?

Psilocybin Study for Tobacco Gets Federal Funding

After half a century, the US federal government has started funding psychedelic research again!

A researcher at Johns Hopkins University received a U01 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to fund a multi-site study on psilocybin for tobacco addiction, which will take place at Johns Hopkins, New York University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The researcher, Dr. Matthew W. Johnson, noted that this is the first time a psychedelic study has received funding since the War on Drugs was declared in the 70s, marking a “new era in legitimacy of psychedelic science”.

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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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DEA supports psychedelic medicine?

DEA Proposes Massive Increase In Marijuana And Psilocybin Production For Research To Develop FDA-Approved Medicines

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is working to accelerate the development of federally-approved psychedelic medicines!

The agency proposed a huge increase in the production of psilocybin, psilocin, and marijuana with the goal of advancing research and drug development.

The proposed production quotas have increased to 1,500 g for psilocybin and 1,000 g for psilocin – up 2,900% and 1,900% respectively from the initial 50 g quota.

 

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Sharing is caring

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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Celebrating progress with a trippy festival

Ann Arbor psychedelic shroom fest organizers announce entertainment lineup

September 19th marks the one-year anniversary of when Ann Arbor, Michigan deprioritized many psychedelics including psilocybin. To celebrate, the city is launching the first ever Entheofest –  a free event that promotes the benefits of natural psychedelics and encourages activism toward decriminalization.

The celebration will include live music and speeches from psychedelic activists such as William Leonard Pickard (aka the “Acid King”), a researcher who served 20 years in prison for manufacturing 400 million doses of acid.

Ann Arbor officially recognizes September as Entheogenic Plant and Fungi Awareness Month after a 10-0 City Council vote to promote the benefits of psychedelics and honour ancestral relationships with entheogens.

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