Window To TheSoul: Dawn.

Painting by Anthony S. Conrad

California is continuing on its path of drug law reform with the filing of a new voter initiative on the topic of psilocybin, the so-called “magic mushrooms” of ancient and modern times.

A number of cities, including Denver Colorado, have already taken the step with positive results.

“Magic Mushrooms” have been used as a spiritual guide by indigenous societies of Mesoamerica for millennia. Modern research by MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, has shown that psilocybin is particularly useful for people at end of life or during life-altering crises by giving people a profound sense of peace, connectivity and acceptance that helps them cope.

Two versions submitted for consideration

Decriminalize California, the organization behind the measure, submitted two different initiatives to the Office of the Attorney General, one more restrictive and the other more comprehensive. The measures set an age of consent for use of psylocybin at age 18.

Version 2.0 was a ‘simple decriminalization’ initiative: personal use, possession and cultivation only. Version 4.4 includes all the provisions of version 2.0, but also allows for licensed sales and amnesty. It now appears that the sponsors will move ahead with the second version, quoted below.

11395.120 Psilocybin Mushrooms. The personal, spiritual, religious, dietary, therapeutic, and medical use of Psilocybin Mushrooms by adults, including but not limited to the cultivation, manufacture, processing, production of edible products and extracts (with or without solvents) derived from Psilocybin Mushrooms, distribution, transportation, possession, storage, consumption, social consumption, on-site consumption, public events, farmers’ markets, and retail sale, whether or not for profit, shall be lawful in this state and is a matter of statewide concern. — Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative 2020

The language of the ballot measure is relatively long because proponents took the option of incorporating the state’s list of controlled substances and striking and rewriting only the sections on psilocybin. The current list was created and modified by legislators, not voters.

The state’s medical marijuana initiative, Prop 64, passed in 2016, chose not to pursue that approach for two reasons. First, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act was already three times longer than this new mushroom measure and, secondly, a concern that if voters are seen to have affirmed the current controlled substances list that still includes marijuana and other psychedelic substances, it could be more difficult to change in the future.

Local organizers sought by campaign

In a brief announcement, Decriminalize California announced that the 30 day public comment period was completed for version 4.4.

“We will begin collecting signatures in roughly 2 weeks,” said organizer Ryan Munevar, “after we get the Title and Summary and Fiscal Impact report from the Attorney General.”

California Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative 2020 v 4.4

Here is the current county list of organizers with their contact links.

To volunteer or to become a county volunteer organizer, please send a message to info@decrimca.org and tell us why you would be a good fit to help organize in your area.