Massachusetts Campaign Files Psychedelics legalization initiatives for 2024 ballot

Massachusetts activists have submitted two initiatives that would legalize possession of some psychedelics, and allow licensed facilities to offer supervised services. These initiatives could be put before the voters in 2024.

Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (), which filed paperwork to form the ballot Committee last week, officially submitted these measures on Wednesday.

Both initiatives are almost identical except for the fact that adults over 21 can cultivate their own psychedelics, such as ayahuasca and psilocybin.

Both would, in general, remove criminal penalties from low-level possessions of five entheogenic fungi and plants, while creating a licensing system for psychedelic services centers, where professionals can administer the substances within a regulated setting.

We’re in the midst of a mental health crisis, not only in Massachusetts but across the nation. In a press statement, Sarko Gergerian said that first responders, who are often police lieutenants and psychotherapists, were on the frontlines, not only helping others, but also suffering from burnout and trauma themselves. Natural psychedelic medicine has the potential to heal in a way that no other therapy is capable of. “The need for this is overwhelming and I pray that this will appear on next year’s ballot.”

The new statewide Massachusetts push comes amid a large local psychedelics campaign that has seen six Massachusetts cities move to decriminalize plants and fungi.

New Approach PAC is supporting the campaign. This PAC has been financially supporting successful psychedelics legislation reform efforts in states such as Colorado.

The Natural Psychedelic Substances Act is summarized in the following key points:

Adults aged 21 and over can legally possess and share certain amounts psychedelics.
These psychedelics are covered by the limits of possession: DMT (1 gram), mescaline non-peyote (18 grams), Ibogaine (30 grams), Psilocybin (1 gram), and psilocin (1 gram). These weight limits exclude any materials that contain active substances or are part of them.
Possession of up to the double limit of the maximum amount would result in a civil fine of $100, while amounts over that remain criminal.
The Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission will be established to supervise the implementation of this law, and the licensing of service providers and facilitators.
By April 1, 2026, the body, modeled after the existing Cannabis Control Commission in California, will be required to adopt rules for regulated accessibility of at least one psychoactive. The rest of the substances will need to have regulations in place by April 1, 2028. The application process would need to begin by September 30th 2026.
The Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board will “study” and make recommendations to the Commission about public health, regulation, training of facilitators, affordable access and equity, traditional use of psychedelics, and future rules including possible additions of legal substances.
The tax on psychedelics bought at licensed centers would be 15 percent. Localities could also impose an additional 2 percent tax if the center is allowed to operate within their jurisdiction. The revenue would be used to finance the regulation of the program.
No provisions are made for expunging previous convictions for actions that would become legal.
Local governments can regulate the hours, locations and types of service centers in their jurisdiction, but cannot ban them outright.
Adults could grow psychedelics up to 12×12 feet in the version which allows home cultivation.
Civil legal protections would apply to licensure of professionals, child custody, and public benefits for those who engage in a legalized activity involving psychedelics.
The law will come into effect on December 15, 2024. Commission and advisory board must be established by March 1, 2020.

Franklin King, psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital said that “a growing body of research” from some of America’s most respected research institutions indicates psychedelics are effective in treating depression, anxiety about the end of life, and other mental health issues. The evidence is also clear that the current scheduling of naturally occurring psychoactive compounds, such as psilocybin, is neither scientifically nor appropriately based.

He said: “I witness the effects of mental health crises every day in the ER, and I believe that psychedelic therapies offer a possible option to address this crisis.” This ballot question will make this tool readily available within a safe, responsible environment.

The campaign must collect an initial batch (74,574) valid signatures of registered voters by the first Wednesday in December.

The measure or measures will then be presented to the legislative body, which can choose to adopt them, suggest a replacement or refuse to act. If legislators decide to not pursue the reform before the first Wednesday in May 2024 activists will have until the 1st Wednesday in July to collect at least 12 429 valid signatures.

Bay Staters for Natural Medicine is a group that has led a half-dozen local reform measures on psychedelics in the state. had previously criticized for the lack of consultation leading up to the filing of the ballot. The group has a neutral stance on the measure without a home-cultivation option.

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A post shared by Bay Staters for Natural Medicine.

James Davis, the co-founder and founder of Bay Staters said that psilocybin helped him open his heart to others, allowing him to work through pain and grief. It has been an honor to bring these gifts from nature to the public, to make them available for healing.

His group has helped to implement local policies that deprioritize the enforcement of laws against psychoedelics in six major cities: Salem Somerville Cambridge Easthampton Northampton Amherst.

Michael Botelho is a Marine veteran who cofounded New England Veterans for Plant Medicine. He said, “After my combat in the Gulf War, I was put on over 100 medications including opiates for my post-traumatic anxiety.” “Just two grams psilocybin mushroom helped me quit those addictive meds. I could stand up. I could get up. “I could work again.

He said: “If we don’t allow people to affordably access plant-based psychoactives and grow theirs, then the message will be that it’s okay to let vets die.”

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A Republican legislator has recently introduced three reform bills on psychedelics, which include proposals to legalize substances such as psilocybin, and reschedule MDMA, pending approval by the federal government, while also setting a cap on price for therapeutic access.

Other legislators have introduced several pieces of legislation in Massachusetts to legalize psychedelics for adults, including separate measures.

A second bill would allow the Department of Public Health (DPH) to conduct an extensive study on the therapeutic potential of synthetic psychedelics such as MDMA.

Rep. Mike Connolly, (D), also filed a 2021 bill that was heard by the Joint Judiciary Committee in . The hearing focused on the implications of legalizing substances such as psilocybin or ayahuasca.

Below, you can read the version of the Natural Psychedelic Substances Act.