Decriminalization and Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics: A Global Perspective
Decriminalization of Psychedelics in the United States
Oregon and Colorado: Leading the Way
Oregon and Colorado have been at the forefront of this movement. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize small amounts of all psychedelics for personal use and legalize psilocybin for mental health treatment in supervised settings4. Following Denver’s initiative, Colorado became the second state to establish a legal system for psilocybin and psilocin use.
Other States: Progressive Legislation
Other states, including California, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, have also made significant strides towards legalizing psychedelics. In New Hampshire, a bill has been proposed to remove DMT from the list of controlled substances.
Expanded Safe Access to Therapeutic Substances
The FDA’s expanded access program, sometimes referred to as “compassionate use”, provides a potential pathway for patients with serious or life-threatening diseases to try investigational medical products outside of clinical trials. This program is designed to make promising medical products available as early as possible to patients without therapeutic options.
Global Legal Status of Entheogens
Around the globe, the legal status of entheogens varies widely. However, there is a growing trend towards decriminalization and recognition of their therapeutic potential.
Conclusion
The decriminalization and recognition of the therapeutic potential of psychedelic plant medicines and substances represent a significant shift in global drug policy. As scientific research continues to uncover the potential benefits of these substances, it is likely that more regions will revise their legal frameworks to accommodate their use.
