(HorizonPost.com) – California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation on Saturday that would have decriminalized the possession of some hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms, the Associated Press reported.
The bill, authored by far-Left state Senator Scott Weiner, would have permitted individuals over 21 to possess the hallucinogenic component psilocybin, as well as mescaline and dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
While the measure would not have legalized the substances for sale and would have prevented possession on school grounds, it would have ensured that those possessing limited amounts would not be arrested or prosecuted.
In his veto statement, Governor Newsom said more regulation needed to be in place before the state could decriminalize hallucinogens.
The governor called for the establishment of “regulated treatment guidelines,” that would include dosing information and therapeutic guidelines, rules preventing “exploitation during guided treatments,” as well as “medical confirmation of no underlying psychoses.”
Newsom said until these guidelines are in place, he would not sign any legislation decriminalizing possession.
Even if the measure had been signed into law, the substances remain illegal under federal law.
In recent years, psychedelics have been used as alternative treatments for a variety of mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress. In 2019, the FDA designated the substance psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for those with treatment-resistant depression.
Supporters of the California measure included veterans who have benefited from the use of psychedelics in the treatment of trauma.
However, opponents of the bill say the benefits of psychedelics are still mostly unknown, and decriminalizing their use could lead to even more crime in the state. Parents’ groups also voiced concern that decriminalizing the substances would make it easier for children to obtain the drugs.
In a statement on Saturday, Senator Wiener expressed disappointment at the governor’s veto, calling it a “setback” for Californians benefiting from the substances who will continue to be “classified as criminals” under existing state law.
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