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Oakland Follows Denver in Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms (and Peyote), 2020 Measures Considered

posted by chromas on Saturday June 15 2019, @01:50PM   Printer-friendly
from the 1UP dept.

takyon writes:

Efforts To Decriminalize Magic Mushrooms Beginning To Sprout Nationally

Denver and Oakland recently passed measures decriminalizing magic mushrooms, and it appears to be part of a larger, slow-moving movement to make psilocybin (the mushrooms' psychedelic ingredient) available for treatments for depression and other medicinal purposes, and, of course, recreational purposes.

  • Oregon: The Pacific Northwest is considering a 2020 ballot measure to allow Oregonians to use "guided psilocybin services" for therapeutic purposes. The Psilocybin Service Initiative is the organization behind the measure, and it is working to get the 100,000 petition signatures needed to secure a place on the state's 2020 election ballot.
  • California: After the Oakland measure passed, an organization called Decriminalize California is working on a statewide decriminalization measure for the 2020 election. (A similar measure failed to garner enough petition signatures last year.) According to the organization's strategy timeline, it is fundraising in advance of its fall campaign for petition signatures and promotion.
  • Iowa: State Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican with a libertarian streak, introduced two magic mushroom-focused bills in February. One bill would remove psilocybin from Iowa's list of controlled substances, and the second would allow medical usage of the substance. Since their introduction, the bills have languished in Iowa's house.

Oakland's decriminalization covers hallucinogens derived from plants or fungi, including but not limited to psilocybin-containing mushrooms and mescaline-containing peyote.

See also: Oakland City Council looks to decriminalize 'magic mushrooms' after Denver vote
Oakland Second US City to Legalize Magic Mushrooms
Oakland Decriminalizes Hallucinogenic 'Magic Mushrooms' And Peyote

Previously: Denver, Colorado Will Vote on Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative on May 7
Psilocybin Mushroom Decriminalization Narrowly Approved in Denver, Colorado

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 4, Informative) by takyon on Saturday June 15 2019, @05:48PM (4 children)

    by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Saturday June 15 2019, @05:48PM (#856031) Journal

    People could easily grow mushrooms at home, and be assured of the quality.

    However, in the case of peyote, a sudden increase in demand caused by decriminalization could strain the supply:

    Peyote is extremely slow growing. Cultivated specimens grow considerably faster, sometimes taking less than three years to go from seedling to mature flowering adult. More rapid growth can be achieved by grafting peyote onto mature San Pedro root stock. The top of the above-ground part of the cactus, the crown, consists of disc-shaped buttons. These are cut above the roots and sometimes dried. When done properly, the top of the root forms a callus and the root does not rot. When poor harvesting techniques are used, however, the entire plant dies. Currently in South Texas, peyote grows naturally but has been over-harvested, to the point that the state has listed it as an endangered species.[citation needed]

    Mexico's Peyote Endangered by 'Drug Tourists' [npr.org] (2007)

    So if it's suddenly hip to try peyote, even fast growing cultivated buttons take years to grow. Leading to natural and cultivated sources being depleted and driving prices up. Maybe.

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  • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:04PM

    by JoeMerchant (3937) on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:04PM (#856035)

    Either way, if it's not illegal, then supply can ramp up to meet demand... it's not like peyote growing country is in high demand for other agricultural products.

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  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:16PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:16PM (#856036)

    Someone should save the peyote by making some engineered yeast to produce the drug by tons and make happy every dopefiend. And finaly let the poor plant grow in peace.

    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:28PM (1 child)

      by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Saturday June 15 2019, @06:28PM (#856039) Journal

      Mescaline is C11H17NO3. It does seem like a molecule that yeast could be bioengineered to poop out. There might be other substances in the cactus that contribute to the effects, but mescaline should be the main one.

      Here's another angle. If "hallucinogens derived from plants or fungi" covers bioengineered yeast, then you could engineer yeast to make LSD and distribute that. I haven't read the exact text of the measure, but if it does happen the feds are going to crash the party.

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      • (Score: 2) by HiThere on Saturday June 15 2019, @07:25PM

        by HiThere (866) Subscriber Badge on Saturday June 15 2019, @07:25PM (#856051) Journal

        Well, one of the other constituents that contributes to the effect is strychnine. I don't believe that a sub-critical dose has any permanent effects, but it does cause unpleasant reactions that are part of what limited traditional use of peyote.

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