California proposes legalizing therapeutic psychedelics for adults 21 and up

California legislators proposed legalizing certain psychedelics, including psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” for adults 21 and over in a therapeutic setting. Some harm reduction experts, while supportive of the overall effort, say psychedelic treatment may not be ready for “prime time…” 

Meanwhile, harm reduction experts say that while encouraging legal use in a therapeutic setting is promising, the state’s history of adopting difficult licensing parameters and training requirements could prove overly burdensome. 

“It looks like Sen. Wiener is following Oregon’s lead and framework. However, R Street is a bit concerned about the movement to allow psychedelic-assisted therapy through state-regulated centers, as his bill would do,” said Chelsea Boyd, a research fellow in harm reduction at R Street Institute, to The Center Square. “We’re certainly supportive of work that advances psychedelics as a treatment for mental-health conditions, although we’re not sure the treatment is ready for prime time. For instance, we have specific concerns about what will constitute appropriate training for facilitators.”