California Senate Votes in Favor of Legalizing Natural Psychedelics

California is set to join the list of states spearheading a new era in mental health treatment, following the approval by state senators on Wednesday of a bill that would legalize natural psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms and DMT, as well as their facilitated use. Supporters of psychedelic therapy have achieved an important victory with a 21-16 voting, as the bill aims to provide greater access to these substances, which can assist in dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The bill will progress to the Assembly for further review.

The vote marks an important moment in the growing national conversation about psychedelic drugs. Along with numerous other states discussing the decriminalization and legalization of entheogens such as psilocybin mushrooms, this is no doubt a historical step towards de-stigmatizing psychedelics.

SB-58 would legalize the personal or facilitated use of certain amounts of psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline by allowing their “possession, preparation, obtaining, transfer, and transportation” for people 21 years and older. However, it is important to note that the legalization would not apply to “synthetic” psychedelics such as LSD and MDMA, unlike the previous version of Senator Scott Wiener’s (D) bill. The bill’s list of legalized substances does not include peyote, in response to concerns raised by advocates and indigenous groups regarding the cacti being over-harvested. Peyote has been traditionally used in ceremonies.

The bill would also establish guidelines for group counseling and community-based healing that involve the use of these substances.

SB-58 allows the following limits on psychedelic possession:

SB-58 Controlled substances: decriminalization of certain hallucinogenic substances.(2023-2024)

In a press release on Wednesday, Wiener stated that allowing the use of psychedelics for healing from PTSD, anxiety, and depression or to improve well-being is an optimistic move for veterans and anyone interested in such treatments. The proposal was almost decriminalized in the previous legislative session, and after working with stakeholders, the proposal was limited to naturally occurring substances with quantity limits for personal use only.

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