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Why These Researchers Urge Caution in Psychedelic Legalization
Two researchers argue that widespread psychedelic legalization may lead to unexpected negative consequences.
Just two days before the Canadian Psychedelic Association released a promising poll showing public support for legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy at an all-time high, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University published a paper urging caution for the legalization of psychedelics in the United States.
William Smith and Paul Applebaum published their reasons for concern in The Journal of the American Medical Association, laying out why they think caution is key. The viewpoint comes at a time when there is renewed public debate about how the decriminalization and legalization of psychedelic substances may be implemented. In wake of Oregon legalizing psilocybin for therapy and decriminalizing possession of other psychedelics, California’s legislatures are in discussions for their progressive measures, as well.
Many Models of Psychedelic Legalization
The authors draw a line in the sand in the field of psychedelic legalization. The state of Oregon represents one side, where the clinical use of psilocybin, the psychoactive component…
