Politics
In response to Canada’s historically racist war on drugs and its growing drug overdose crisis, the Liberal Party of Canada moves to reform the country’s criminal justice system and drug policies with a new bill. But is it enough?
A roundup of 14 current decrim bills and ballot initiatives shows the momentum building for psychedelic drug reform on the state and local level.
A Denver man was arrested for growing and selling magic mushrooms after receiving copious press attention following the state’s decriminalization of psilocybin. Here’s what he has to say about what transpired.
A California State Senate bill and a ballot measure share the long term goal of legalizing psychedelics, but their strategies and specific approaches are markedly different.
The first prosecution of a psilocybin dealer since Denver passed decriminalization in 2019 may signal how those selling psychedelics will be treated by law enforcement.
The City Council unanimously approved the measure, which was supported by the mayor and led by Decriminalize Nature Massachusetts and Bay Staters for Natural Medicine.
Changes in policy and reduced policing of drug laws has impacted users of psychedelics, as has the Covid-19 pandemic, which is increasing the need for mental health and addiction treatments.
The resolution calls for decrim throughout California and protection for community-based healing ceremonies, in line with a bill being drafted in the state Senate.
President-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have pledged major reforms of drug laws to shift the criminal justice system away from incarceration towards still controversial mandated treatment and drug courts.
Global anti-drug conventions now recognize the therapeutic value of cannabis and no longer consider it “particularly liable to abuse and to produce ill-effects.”
