What experts and readers say about the legalization of psychedelics in mass.

Readers say

Experts and readers weigh in on question 4.

Legalization of psychedelic substances in Massachusetts attracted national attention and divided some Mass voters on both sides voting measure because November 5 is fast approaching.

A major supporter of voting on the ballot, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO)According to their website, Question 4 outlines a broad-based treatment plan for adults over the age of 21 with serious mental health conditions “under the supervision and direction of a trained, licensed professional in regulated treatment facilities.”

“What is known about psychedelics is that they cause a profound shift in consciousness that is often experienced as something deeply meaningful, important or profound,” said Dr. Franklin King, Harvard Medical School instructor and director of training and education, at the Mass. . General Psychedelic Neuroscience Center.

If voters decide “yes” on question 4, Mass third state in the nation have legislation to allow adult drug use, lagging behind Colorado and Oregon.

“(Psychedelics) produce very strong, powerful states. They should not be taken lightly,” Dr. King said. “These can certainly be very difficult experiences for some people. There are many things that can potentially go wrong, just as truly positive experiences with psychedelics can leave lasting changes.

Founding partner at Shawmut Strategies and spokesperson Coalition for Safe CommunitiesChris Keohan is among the voters in Massachusetts who will surely vote “no” this fall.

“We don’t question the medical benefits of doing this under medical supervision. However, this goes a significant step too far and reduces the overall safety of people here in Massachusetts,” Keohan said. “Not only with the additional issues of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but issues that will be related to home development for children, pets and generally (and) home insurance.”

The Coalition’s main voting concern is the ability to grow psychedelics at home. The measure would allow this up to 144 square meters be grown. The minimum dimensions master bedroom in stock is 120 square feet.

“That’s an astronomical amount of square footage devoted to home development,” Keohan said. “I probably wouldn’t have engaged with this ballot question by answering ‘no’ if home development had not been included. I believe this fact poses a truly serious threat to public safety.”

While supporting widespread legalization, some voters worry about access restrictions.

This applies to leadership in Bay Staters for Natural Medicinea community group dedicated to educating members about the uses of psychedelic drugs.

“Eight cities and counting have already said they want this policy implemented,” said James Davis, executive director and co-founder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine. “If we just implement this, it will be the best form of legalization in some ways because it means people will get this drug from someone they know and they will grow it themselves.”

Still, there are differing opinions on how psychedelic drugs should be regulated in the state.

“We never thought a ballot question would be possible in the state of Massachusetts,” Davis said. “From a public perspective, we don’t think we’re there and that’s why we exist. Educate slowly, have difficult conversations, meet with people who disagree with us, and not just try to force it by getting 51% of the vote.”

“We really want this as an alternative form of legalization,” he said.

After the certified voting questions are announced, Boston.com conducted a reader survey asking if they believe that psychedelic mental health care should be legalized in the state. Of the 430 total responses, 74% voted “yes”, 21 voted “no” and 4% chose “don’t know”.

Reader responses revealed that the two most common topics and concerns related to legalization were public safety and mental health.

Here’s a sample of what readers are saying and how they plan to vote on Question 4.

Some responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Yes: Psychedelics have a beneficial effect on mental health

Among the majority of “yes” votes, readers pointed out what psychedelic-assisted therapy can do to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other serious mental health diagnoses. Dr. King said, “it takes a lot of work to be a patient, just being open to the experience and not running away from any negative things that may come up.”

“People hear psychedelia and forget the word therapy,” Dr. King added. “I think of it as a delve into contemporary issues that we’re probably going to see more of with psychedelics.”

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating and painful disease that claims the lives of countless people through suicide and devastates many others. It disproportionately affects veterans, first responders, and BIPOC workers. Conventional medications and psychotherapy are not enough to help these people. However, studies at Johns Hopkins in Columbia and other universities have shown remarkable and rapid benefits from short treatments with psilocybin. The prejudices of the Nixon era cost us 50 years of unnecessary suffering. It’s time.”

– Mark M., Pittsfield, vote yes.

“For medical and psychological use only, not recreational use. The data is convincing.”

– Peggy B., Lenox, vote yes.

“This drug is extremely important for people struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or childhood trauma. It allows us to go beyond our fears and find self-care and love. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a leading trauma psychiatrist, has studied this and is a proponent of this type of treatment. This is discussed within it New York Times bestseller “The Body Keeps the Score”.

– Matt, Walpole, vote yes.

“If this natural mushroom can help someone heal, it should be available to them. The more natural the medicines, the better for the body and our planet.”

– John, Woburn, vote yes.

“Psychedelic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and there is clearly a reason for their use. It makes no sense for these mushrooms to continue to be illegal while other substances such as alcohol, which are generally more harmful, are not.

– Cannon W., Framingham, vote yes.

No: I’m concerned about public safety

A common reason readers say they will vote “no” is because they are concerned about the potentially adverse effects that such access could have. Keohan advises that people should “listen to doctors. Listen to psychiatrists.

– Yes, for clinical mental health applications. For recreational use – no. Since the legalization of marijuana, we have seen an increase in drug abuse. “We should direct our energy towards treatment, not legalization.”

– Boston.com reader, vote no.

“Psychedelics themselves have not been proven to be a cure. What psychedelic research has shown is the potential therapeutic effectiveness of Psychedelic ASSISTED THERAPY in highly structured/supportive settings. These substances carry real mental health/mental health risks that need to be better understood before expanding their access in real-world settings. A premature legalization process may have unintended negative impacts on society’s mental health, with some vulnerable populations (such as high-risk youth) being the most vulnerable.”

– Boston.com reader, Cambridge, vote no.

“The risk is known. The benefits are limited. It can be “administered” at home, which is a path to abuse.

– PB, Brookline, vote no.

“I’m an ER nurse. Since marijuana was legalized, the number of injury cases I see resulting from cannabis use has skyrocketed. I feel it on some patients; others admit to using edibles. I recently took the vital signs of a driver who was knocked unconscious after a vehicle crash and broke both femurs of a driver whose car was struck by a pickup truck. Human nature is what it is and “patients” will abuse this “medicine”, causing lasting harm to others. In the case of alcohol, the police may conduct an on-the-spot blood or breath test to detect alcohol abuse. This is not the case with drugs that were previously illegal.”

– Boston.com reader: vote no.

“One wonders whether this item would not be taxed if we continued with this issue. It seems inappropriate to promote things that interfere with normal cognitive functioning.”

– Magee, Dorchester, vote no.

I’m undecided

“I think we should legalize them. I do not believe that the part of the bill that should include licensed, high cost for profit “wellness” centers (i.e. high profits for private corporations) should not be in this bill or be allowed. These useful medicines should be decriminalized and allowed to be used without reservation by health centers. We don’t do that with marijuana. This should not be done in this case either. It limits access to the very wealthy, and people with mental health needs who are not wealthy are denied access under this proposed bill.”

– Alex, Melrose, “I don’t know” vote.

“I don’t know enough about them to give an informed opinion, but if something is described as ‘psychedelic,’ isn’t that tantamount to distorting reality?” I’m not sure how changing reality can be beneficial to anyone.

– Erin, Nashua, vote “I don’t know.”

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal surveys and polls. These results should be read as an unscientific measure of reader opinion.