It’s time for California to take a more pragmatic approach to psychedelic drug policy | Opinion

There’s a growing conversation in the medical community, particularly among mental health professionals like me, about the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. As a psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how our mental health crisis has worsened significantly in recent years.

We need to think outside of the box when it comes to supporting people who are suffering.

From alleviating symptoms of depression to PTSD, substances like psilocybin and MDMA have shown promising results in clinical trials, sparking interest in their potential to revolutionize mental health care. But many physicians and mental health professionals also share a lingering concern about the possibility for misuse. That’s why I’m thrilled to see State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco and Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, introduce Senate Bill 1012, bipartisan legislation to create regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics, prioritizing safety and education.

SB 1012 would establish a professional licensing board under the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency to regulate and create guidelines for the therapeutic use of psychedelics. This board would develop the licensing requirements to become a “psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator” and develop training programs, ethical standards, scope of practice guidelines and regulatory oversight. The bill also establishes a public-private fund for a public education program to promote safety.

When it comes to psychedelics, a prohibitionist “Just say no” approach has not worked. Despite decades of stringent drug laws, substance misuse remains a significant public health issue. In fact, the criminalization of psychedelics has driven their consumption underground, making it difficult to monitor and mitigate any associated risks.

When scary, tragic incidents crop up in the news about people taking psychedelics and causing harm to themselves or others, we’re seeing the direct impacts of underground use and a broad lack of information on how to take psychedelics safely. By shifting toward a model of regulation and harm reduction — one in which people can receive support for mental health issues they’re facing — we can establish a framework that prioritizes safety and healing while acknowledging the reality of human behavior.

One of the primary advantages of regulated access is quality control. There is almost no accountability when it comes to what’s actually in psychedelics sold in an underground, unregulated market, and this lack of oversight increases the risk of adverse reactions. In a regulated system, substances would undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and efficacy.

Regulated access also provides an opportunity for education and harm reduction initiatives. Instead of stigmatizing psychedelic use, we can implement evidence-based education programs that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their mental health. SB 1012 contains a first-in-the-nation public-private education fund to bring these conversations to communities across California.

A regulated system also allows for the implementation of safeguards to prevent misuse. For example, under SB 1012, these substances can only be administered by qualified professionals in therapeutic settings. These facilitators will provide comprehensive support before, during and after the experience, and will screen patients to ensure they’re a good fit for this type of care. By integrating psychedelics into a therapeutic context, we can ensure that they are used responsibly and beneficially.

Some critics of regulated access say we must do more research before moving forward. But we already know that regulated use — especially when paired with public education — is safer than underground use. Studies show that people are using psychedelics at higher rates as they learn more about the promising mental health research.

While it may seem that the conservative option is to wait and learn more, providing legal and accessible avenues for people to receive care using psychedelics could and would likely reduce the allure of illicit markets and minimize the associated risks.

Ultimately, the goal of creating safe, regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics is to harness their therapeutic potential while mitigating risks. By implementing a system that prioritizes quality control, education and harm reduction, we can prevent misuse and maximize the benefits of these powerful substances.

It’s time to move beyond the failed policies of prohibition and embrace a more pragmatic approach to drug policy.

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