By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief
This November, Massachusetts voters will decide on several statewide ballot questions, including Question 4, the limited legalization of certain natural psychedelic substances, also known as the “Natural Psychedelic Substances Act.” The proposal would legalize and regulate the supervised use of certain natural psychedelics—such as psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, and ibogaine—for adults 21 and older.
In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the nation to legalize psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, in 20 of its most populated cities, opening more than 20 service centers to administer the drug, according to NPR.
In late 2022, Colorado followed suit, voting to decriminalize psilocybin and psilocin, making it legal beginning in 2023 for people aged 21 and older to grow, share, and use five natural psychedelics: psilocybin and psilocin from mushrooms, and ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT from plants.
Although Oregon has recently recriminalized these substances, Colorado remains a state where psilocybin and related compounds are legal for adult use. If Massachusetts voters approve the ballot question, it would make Massachusetts the third state to legalize the use of these substances.
During the 2024 Massachusetts U.S. Senate debate, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren expressed support for Question 4, stating that while she backs the measure, she also believes that it will “take time” to get the right regulations in place for it. Republican Sen. John Deaton opposed Question 4, explaining that he believes “we have to deal with our opiate problem” and that approving the measure for anything beyond medical use would be “pushing it too far, too fast.”
With plenty of pros and cons to consider, students and faculty at Mount Wachusett Community College weighed in with their own opinions, each bringing their own perspective to the conversation.
“I support legal access to natural psychedelic substances because [research] has shown the brain grows new connections between neurons. This process is called neuroplasticity. Psychedelics seem to boost neuroplasticity; it allows the brain to rewire itself by forming new neural pathways. This can benefit people who struggle with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I understand the concern about the safe use of this substance and maybe people will abuse them. However, if society is okay with having liquor stores almost everywhere, and we know that alcohol can be harmful, then I do not see why psychedelics should be looked at differently. I don’t see anything wrong with a substance that many will benefit from. I know a few people who have used psychedelics for mental health, and I always hear great feedback saying that mentally, they feel great. These people have a professional job and a family and function well. Often people get misconceptions about people who may use psychedelics. Overall I support Question 4,” said Sabrina Alonso, Human Services major.
“I would say we’re not prepared enough right now. I think we have to look at this at many levels and many processes. I think it’s important to look at what we already did before we go further. When we look at marijuana, we’ve seen problems that have come from it being a recreational drug. As for testing, there are tests for blood alcohol content, there’s no test for seeing how much marijuana is in a person’s system. Before moving on to other “natural” substances like psilocybin, two main issues need to be looked at: federal and state regulations need to align more closely, and we need to consider the risks. Both cannabis and psilocybin are Schedule 1, meaning they are seen as highly addictive with no accepted medical use. These substances might not have all the same risks as others in this category, but they aren’t without harm. The problem is that when a substance is legalized, people often think it’s harmless.
I think the medical community needs to look more at holistic alternatives like acupuncture, breathwork.. there’s all these mindfulness clinics and activities that can really help people heal themselves rather than having something given to them that just takes away what they can work on themselves.
Another thing I’m concerned about is the facilitation. If psilocybin is legalized, who will oversee its use? Will it be general practitioners who may not know how to properly handle the substances? Will they check full medical history beforehand?
In Oregon, there was a 15% psilocybin tax posed on the sale of it and products, so they need to make sure they’re doing this for medical reasons and not for anything financial,” said Professor Julie Capozzi, Department Chairman of the Substance Addiction Counseling Certificate program.
“I voted yes on question 4 because I’m optimistic on more treatment options for those struggling inside, including myself. The side effects of antidepressants aren’t worth the results for some or the medication doesn’t work. One pill doesn’t work for all, so why not have this choice on the table?” said Joshlynn Lugo, Art major.
“I was able to mail in my ballot already this week with the state questions on it. The main “concerns” I’ve heard people have for this law to go into effect is the fact that it could be sold, but it sounds like the state only wants to legalize supervised medical use. In my opinion, this makes it very hard for someone to take advantage of, as it would most likely be very obvious since they need to be observed. That’s just my opinion, though. I could see why people would be concerned about illegal sales rising,” said Julian Anderson, Media Arts and Technology (Audio Concentration) major.
“Some of our most valuable medicines originally came from nature like digoxin from foxglove, atropine from belladonna, and penicillin from mold to name a few. I support a “yes” vote on Question 4 partly due to knowing how amazing the natural world can be at helping humans stay balanced in body and mind. I do see why there would be a need for regulation of some substances… Most medicines are expensive and not easily accessible by all. Allowing us to grow our own natural psychedelic substances can give us power over where our medicine comes from and lower costs by cutting out the “middleman.” Having therapy centers can give us a safe place to try alternatives to traditional mental health medications. I support research on psychedelics and their use in mental health therapies and can see the potential of them especially with microdosing,” said Wendy Joubert, an environmental conservation major.
“I’m voting yes. Who am I to deny anyone medicine that could help them recover from a debilitating disease? I’ve read Michael Polan’s book How to Change Your Mind and believe there’s a lot of power in psilocybin mushrooms to heal people from depression and addiction, especially in a supervised clinical setting,” said Penny Johnson, a Law student at the Mount.
“I am in support of this ballot measure. I think any drug that can help people medically should absolutely be legal in a medical context so that everyone can get the care that they need,” said Sanjay Vyas, a student at the Mount.
“I’m for the potential legalization of supervised therapeutic and regulated at home access to natural psychedelics like psilocybin for treating certain mental health conditions because it would be a great way for more people to get the help they need, and it could also help further research into those medicines if they are used more commonly. The only downside I can think of is if people abuse it or if they find out that it is addictive,” said Jay Morris, Science major.
“I think it would be a great opportunity to do research about what these psychedelics can do for people with mental health issues! There is a lot of potential research ideas to help assure the public that these psychedelics are beneficial. I would need to do more research on the specific psychedelics and what they individually do, but I think this proposal in general is fantastic and very progressive in finding different ways to help people struggling with their mental health who just need an extra source of support,” said Maddy Fichtel, Biology major.
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