State Senator Scott Wiener’s legislation to decriminalize psychedelic drugs for personal and therapeutic use passed in the state senate’s Health Committee in April. Senate Bill 519, would also expunge criminal records for people with prior possession convictions, which Wiener hopes will remedy some of the consequences of the war on drugs. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is already used by patients and doctors to treat mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD. While many veterans and drug advocacy groups support the bill, opponents say that if it passes in the senate, the legislation will cause an increase in the number of psychedelic drugs sold and recreationally used.
CA Could Become the Latest State to Decriminalize Psychedelics
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(Photo: Getty Images)
Guests:
Senator Scott Wiener, senator, California State Senate
Juliana Mercer, veteran, Marine Corps; psychedelic trauma therapy patient
Dr. Robert Grant, professor, UC San Francisco School of Medicine
Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, former president, American Psychiatric Association; chair, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry
Larry Morse, legislative director, California District Attorney's Association
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