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Oakland became the second largest city in the United States to decriminalize magic mushrooms and other natural psychedelic drugs after city council passed a resolution on Tuesday night.
The city of California joins Denver, which had adopted a similar measure in May, to decriminalize the possession and use of psilocybin – more commonly known as magic mushrooms – and other entheogenic or psychoactive mushrooms and plants, intended for humans. adults.
This decision comes as attitudes towards these substances have changed, defenders touting the medical benefits of what was a recreational drug used by hippies in the 1960s. During the board meeting, a Series of speakers testified that psychedelics had helped them overcome depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The use of plants "has saved my life," said a man who described himself as a former heroin addict. "I do not know how to describe it other than miraculously."
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"Entesogenic plants and mushrooms are extremely helpful in helping healing, especially for those who have been traumatized," said Carlos Plazola, president of the Oakland Nature Decriminalize advocacy group, ahead of the council meeting. "These plants are recommended quite secretly by doctors and therapists."
The vote makes the investigation and arrest of adults who cultivate, possess, use or distribute entheogenic plants one of the lowest priorities for the police. No funds from the city could be used to enforce laws criminalizing substances, and the Alameda County Attorney would stop prosecuting those apprehended for use or possession.
Council member Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution, said the decriminalization of such facilities would allow Oakland police to focus on serious crimes.
The amendments proposed by Council member Loren Taylor added warnings that the substances "are not for everyone", recommending that people with PTSD or major depression seek professional help before using them. that people "do not go solo" but seek the advice of an expert. friend present during use.
The order also directs the city administrator to return within one year to provide the council with an assessment of the impact of the law on the community.
Magic mushrooms would remain illegal under federal and state laws. The entheogenic substances are considered Schedule 1 drugs under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies potentially abusive drugs with no medical value.
Skeptics had expressed concerns about unsafe use, especially in schools.
To address such concerns, Gallo said, lawmakers should establish rules and regulations on the use of such substances, including what can be used, how to use it and what the associated risks are.
Although some Amerindian communities have used some enthesogenic substances for centuries, these drugs were largely made illegal around the world during the 1960s and 1970s. However, the research appears to be effective in addressing mental health and mental health problems. drug addiction in research conducted by many universities.
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In an analysis published last October in an issue of Neuropharmacology, a neuroscience-focused medical journal, researchers at Johns Hopkins University recommended reclassifying psilocybin for medical purposes, highlighting its benefits for the treatment of depression and anxiety and to help people quit smoking.
"In the 1960s, they were at the forefront of neuroscience research and understood how the brain works," Matthew Johnson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Johns Hopkins told the New York Times. "But then he came out of the lab."
Johnson added that as substances become better accepted for their medical uses, this could be a game changer for the treatment of mental illness.
"I see this as a new era in medicine," he said. "The data suggests that psychedelics are powerful behavioral agents."
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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