Recently, Massachusetts has put up the legalization of psychedelic drugs to vote, proposing the idea to have these drugs usable for those 21 years and older.
Although these drugs have side effects, they can be used to help those with certain disorders unless used irresponsibly. Psychedelic drugs alter and enhance energy levels, sensory perceptions and thought processes. These drugs are also known as “hallucinogens” and have been legalized in a few states across the country for therapeutic uses.
The substances that would be legal to use would be psilocybin and psilocin, which are the psychedelics found in mushrooms, as well as dimethyltryptamine, mescaline and ibogaine, substances that are found in plants.
These substances would be able to be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. This proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances. Keeping these substances out of retail stores will definitely reduce the risk of overdose or irresponsible usage.
There are benefits to these drugs, such as helping those with addictions or substance abuse disorders, as well as helping people with anxiety or depression over time. It also helps with migraines, and these drugs do not lead to addiction, yet their negative effects can be detrimental.
Because of the hallucinations that these substances provide, it can create paranoia in individuals from the unpredictability of what the users will hallucinate. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a type of flashback that is a side effect of using these substances, and they can happen anytime between a few days to after a year of taking the psychedelics. These drugs can also increase suicidal thoughts in some cases.
Within six years, Massachusetts is the third state to try and legalize certain psychedelic drugs to use in licensed therapy centers, as well as small home-grow operations. The other two states that tried this were Oregon and Colorado, both of which ended up legalizing the substances. This makes Massachusetts the first state on the East Coast to put this matter up to debate.
Some support the legalization because of its benefits, but there is an equal amount of those who know the side effects. Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, the president of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS), said these drugs are very harmful and should only be used under medical supervision.
“We’re not saying they might not be effective for some things,” Ghaemi stated. “But you have to choose carefully who to give them to, so that you give them in the effective setting without harming them.”
The largest problem with using psychedelics is the cost for those who want to use them. The typical session can cost somewhere between $800 and $2,500, keeping this resource from being available to everyone who may need them.
The cost is completely out of proportion, considering most drugs are inexpensive to produce. For example, LSD, a type of psychedelic drug, only costs between $12 to $35 per typical dose, which is an average of anywhere between 1.75 to 3.5 grams.
If these substances are legalized, they should be affordable to those who need them rather than only to those who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on every individual session.
Supporting this initiative means the state will create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Advisory Board to conduct the licensing of psychedelic substances and services, including the distribution of psychedelic substances to individuals 21 years or older under licensed supervision.
This will also authorize individuals 21 years of age or older to grow, possess and use a personal amount of psychedelic substances, which can lead to a lot of problems. That means somebody can use these substances without professional supervision, which can lead to overdose, causing uncomfortable mental and physical symptoms, as well as some other effects that aren’t worth risking.
Some of the short-term effects are psychosis, agitation and panic attacks, which can ultimately lead to seizures, the risk of falling into a coma and death.
When it comes to getting psychedelic substances administered safely by a professional, then that is when it is safe and beneficial to use in most cases. With the option to use it on your own, this can risk one’s health, as well as others. Is it worth it?
Adding onto the already expensive cost, the state would add on taxes, including an excise tax (tax on manufactured goods) at a rate of 15% on the sale of psychedelic substances at licensed administration facilities.
The state would also introduce a tax of up to 2% on psychedelic substances and regulate the time, place and manner of the operation of natural psychedelic substance licensees.
As much as these substances would help those who need it, those who use it without a professional service are at serious risk of short-term and long-term effects that will greatly affect people in Massachusetts.
According to three separate polls taken in the last two months, one resulted in supporting it, one resulted in not supporting it and one ended in a tie. This is an important topic that will greatly affect the state all together, and whatever the decision could easily influence more states to join in on the vote.
Hayley Doda can be contacted at
hayley@kscequinox.com
