On Wednesday, a Connecticut bill that would decriminalize small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms was passed by a legislative committee.
This measure would make possession up to half an ounce or more of psychedelic mushrooms a civil offense, punishable with a $150 fine. For each subsequent violation, a fine of $200 to $500 would be assessed. Three convictions under the policy would result in a referral to a drug education program.
The current Connecticut law makes simple possession of psilocybin a Class A offense. Penalties include up to one year in prison and a maximum of $2,000 fine.
Although this bill doesn’t go far enough to legalize full marijuana, it does provide recreational use, but it does nothing for medical treatment. Rep. Steven Stafstrom (D), cochair of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Judiciary said that the bill recognizes the fact that possession should not be considered a high-level A offense. It should be treated differently, something like heroin and fentanyl.
The bill HB6734 passed the panel 26-11. This was despite objections from Republicans who expressed concerns about the dangers of highway traffic and the potential message that loosening penalties for psilocybin could send to youth.
“I will tell you this, and speaking to younger people, they tend be more reserved about substances than I was growing up. Not me personally but the generation I grew to live in in the ’70s,” stated Sen. John Kissell (R). “I have great faith in the younger generation, not to be misunderstood. We are sending a message to the wider public by setting policy. It’s, I believe, mixed messages.
Watch the bill being discussed by the committee, at around 37:10 in the video.
Kissell, who supports medical marijuana in the state, but is against broader adult-use legalization. He said that he would rather lawmakers approve a medical carveout to psilocybin usage than decriminalizing all possession.
He said, “I have no doubt that it has medical uses.” “I understand that the proponents don’t want to make it require you to spend time in prison. Okay, that’s fair enough. As a public policy officer, I don’t have enough information.”
Kissell stated that he would like to know more about traffic safety and how psilocybin interacts avec alcohol and marijuana. He pointed out that there is no reliable way to detect psilocybin impairment at traffic stops.
Stafstrom responded by clarifying that the bill wouldn’t change the state’s DUI laws. This means driving while under the influence of marijuana would still be illegal. According to Stafstrom, recognizing impairment will be the responsibility of trained law enforcement officers who are already tasked with detecting illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine (as well psilocybin), regardless of their legal status. Police could also obtain urine and blood samples from drivers if they have probable cause.
Stafstrom said that the proposal would not change penalties for trafficking, manufacture, or sales of paraphernalia relating to psychedelic mushroom products. “The only difference between possession and trafficking is the mere possession.”
Rep. Craig Fishbein, another Republican, stated that this wasn’t enough for reducing driving risks that could lead to more highway deaths.
He said that “Unfortunately, in many cases, somebody’s deceased and you cannot bring them back.” “So it’s really no solace to me, that they’re still going to be arrested for driving under the influences.”
Stafstrom said that people in the state already use psilocybin to treat various ailments.
He said that he knew from conversations with constituents that this substance was being used by people instead of painkillers. “As a way of dealing with PTSD, end-of life issues, pain and suffering due to burns, and any other number, it is.”
Thursday’s bill is a substitute which makes minor technical changes.
Another Connecticut bill introduced this session would lay the groundwork for a “psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program” that would seek to legalize “the use of psilocybin for medicinal and therapeutic purposes, including, but not limited to, the provision of physical, mental or behavioral health care.”
The legislation was filed earlier in the year as a placeholder bill. It would allocate a yet-unspecified amount of funds to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the establishment of the program.
Last year, Gov. Ned Lamont (D), separately signed a large budget bill which includes provisions to allow certain patients with access to psychedelic treatment using substances such as MDMA and Psilocybin.
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Photo by Wikimedia/Workman
The post Connecticut Lawmakers approve Bill to Decriminalize Psilocybin in Joint Committee Vote was first published on Marijuana Moment.
