Massachusetts psychedelic ballot issue projected to fail

The Associated Press on Wednesday morning projected the failure of a state ballot issue to legalize and regulate the use of naturally-occurring psychedelic substances, including psilocybin. Massachusetts’ Question 4 was failing by a margin of half a million votes with about 90% of the votes counted, according to unofficial results. The proposal would have allowed individuals over 21 years old to grow and use psychedelics, also known as magic mushrooms, in their homes and would have allowed licensed facilitators, such as therapy centers, to provide the drugs. Retailers would not have been permitted to dispense the drugs.

Almost a dozen other states are considering legislation that would remove criminal penalties around psychedelics and explore their therapeutic effects.

What were the lines of debate over the issue? Proponents of legalization argue this class of substances has untapped potential for treating addiction, trauma, and post traumatic stress disorder. But opponents of the measure say it expands access too quickly and discounts the drug’s significant harms. They argue greater access could also endanger children exposed to the substances in homes across the state. Psychedelics are classified as a Schedule I substance in the state, a category for drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Massachusetts would have joined two other states, Colorado and Oregon, in legalizing certain types of psychedelics.

Dig deeper:Read Mary Jackson and Grace Snell’s report about California’s attempt to decriminalize psychedelics.