A Massachusetts joint legislative committee is advising the legislature not to pass a psychedelics legalization initiative—but activists are already collecting additional signatures to put the reform before voters on the November ballot.

Overview of the Initiative

Lawmakers were required to consider the psychedelics measure, spearheaded by the campaign Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), after the state certified advocates had submitted enough valid signatures in an initial petitioning round last year. The legislature had until May 1 to make a decision before the campaign was cleared to collect another 12,429 signatures by July 3 to secure ballot placement.

Last week, the Special Joint Committee on Ballot Initiatives issued a majority report that formally recommended against passing the measure as drafted. This comes just over a month after the panel held a hearing to gain expert feedback on the proposal.

Committee’s Concerns

The report acknowledges the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics but raises concerns about the wide-scale recreational legalization of these substances. The committee suggests that the proposed initiative’s goals of licensing psychedelics service centers while broadly decriminalizing the substances for adults could undermine each other by creating two separate systems.

Key Points from the Committee Report

• The proposal creates a dual system of licensed therapeutic facilities and broad decriminalization, which the committee believes could lead to regulatory conflicts and an unregulated market.
• Lawmakers are concerned that the initiative’s loopholes could allow for the growth of an unlicensed marketplace, posing risks to public safety.
• Financial barriers similar to those faced by the marijuana market due to federal prohibition could hinder the licensed psychedelics industry.
• Despite input from advocacy groups suggesting revisions, the committee’s hands are tied by legal constraints limiting their ability to make substantial changes to the initiative.

Activists’ Response and Next Steps

MMHO, undeterred by the committee’s recommendations, has launched a final signature gathering round to secure ballot placement for the November election. Jennifer Manley, a spokesperson for the campaign, expressed confidence in garnering support for the initiative and emphasized the importance of educating voters on the issue.

Key Provisions of the Natural Psychedelic Substances Act

The proposed initiative outlines provisions for legal possession, cultivation, and sharing of specified psychedelics by adults, as well as the establishment of regulatory bodies and taxation measures.

Current Legislative Landscape

Beyond the initiative, various legislative efforts in Massachusetts are exploring psychedelics reform, including bills focused on psilocybin therapy, veterans’ access to psychedelics, and comprehensive studies on therapeutic effects.

The debate over psychedelics legalization in Massachusetts reflects broader discussions on drug policy reform, public health, and regulatory challenges. As activists continue their push for ballot placement, the state faces complex decisions on how to balance therapeutic potential with regulatory concerns in the evolving landscape of psychedelics legalization.