Massachusetts activists claim that local election clerks in the state have certified they submitted more than enough valid names to force a legislative consideration of the psychedelics-legalization initiative, before the issue could be put on the 2024 ballot.
The campaign Massachusetts for Mental Health Options says that after submitting petitions signed by local clerks to those officials last month, they have verified over 95,000 signatures. The petitions will be sent to the Secretary of State’s Office on Wednesday for final verification.
To begin the process of reforming the state legislature, supporters need to collect 74,574 valid signatures.
In a press statement, Emily Oneschuk (MMHO’s grassroots director and a U.S. Navy vet) said, “We are delighted at the response from voters across the State. This is an exciting new step in the process.” “Plant-based therapeutics is the most effective treatment that I have seen in veterans who are struggling with mental challenges after their service.”
This measure would establish a framework that allows for legal and supervised access of psychedelics in licensed facilities. The measure would legalize possession and gifting psychedelics like ayahuasca and psilocybin, but would not allow for retail commercial sales.
After the state attorney general determined that both initiatives met the constitutional requirements for ballot placement in the following months the activists chose to pursue the version which included a home-cultivation option.
The legislature can choose to either enact reform or propose an alternative if the secretary of State affirms there are sufficient valid signatures. If lawmakers do not legalize psychedelics before May 1, activists will have until July 3, 2019 to collect at least 12,429 valid signatures in order to place the proposal on the ballot for November 2024.
The key details about the Natural Psychedelic Substances Act are:
- Adults aged 21 and over can legally possess, grow, and share certain amounts psychedelics.
- These psychedelics are covered by the limits of possession: DMT (1 gram), mescaline non-peyote (18 grams), Ibogaine (30 g), 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 criminalized.
- 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, which will be modeled after the existing Cannabis Control Commission in California, must adopt rules regulating access to at least one psychedelic. 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 recommend” 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 they allow the centers 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 can propagate psychedelics within a 12×12 foot space.
- 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.
In a press release from the MMJO, Lt. Sarko Ghergerian stated that “we are at the brink of a major change in how we can assist people who believe they’ve run out of options.” “Don’t lose hope. You and your loved one could soon have these options available to you here in Massachusetts.”
Last month, activists hit a temporary roadblock after local officials raised concerns about a large batch of petitions which featured a union symbol in violation of state ballot rules. The campaign responded with an intensive signature-gathering effort, which more than made up for the difference.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Shealey (D), recently introduced legislation which includes provisions to Create a psychedelics Working Group to Study and Make Recommendations About the Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Substances like Psilocybin or MDMA for Military Veterans.
Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, a local psychedelics group, says it is preparing to present a revised version of this initiative to lawmakers in the spring. The group has previously supported the ballot measure version that allowed home cultivation. It now proposes to remove language about creating a regulatory panel to oversee the program.
BSNM helped local governments implement policies that deprioritized enforcement of laws against psychedelics. These cities include Salem, Somerville Cambridge, Easthampton Northampton Amherst.
Separately in Massachusetts, a Republican legislator introduced three reform bills in April . These included proposals to legalize substances such as psilocybin, and reschedule MDMA while waiting for federal approval, with a price limit on therapeutic access.
Other legislators have introduced several pieces of legislation in Massachusetts to legalize entheogenic drugs for adults, as well as 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.
Six Governors push Biden to ensure Marijuana is rescheduled by the end of this year
Photo elements are courtesy carlosemmaskype, and Apollo.
The post Massachusetts Psychedelics Activists Said Local Election Clerks Certified a Lot of Signatures for 2024 Legalization Initiative first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
