Mushrooms on the ballot?
Proposed measure would decriminalize hallucinogenic psilocybin.
SACRAMENTO — A ballot measure filed Friday with the California attorney general’s office could let voters decide whether the state should decriminalize the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms by adults.
The measure would exempt adults 21 and older from penalties for possessing, selling, transporting or cultivating psilocybin.
At least 365,880 valid signatures are needed to place the measure on the 2018 ballot.
Kevin Saunders, a mayoral candidate in the town of Marina, near Monterey, is behind the push.
Saunders said using mushrooms helped him stop using heroin 15 years ago.
“I think we’re seeing something that could literally heal our brothers and sisters,” he said. “We’re talking about real cuttingedge stuff.”
Saunders said he hopes voters will be mature and have a serious conversation about the use of mushrooms.
“It’s a natural progression from marijuana legalization,” he said. “I think that we are having an opportunity to lead the discussion.”
In November, Californians voted to legalize recreational marijuana through Proposition 64.
Psilocybin is considered a Schedule I drug by the California Controlled Substances Act and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
These drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for dependence and abuse, according to the DEA. Heroin, LSD and marijuana are in the same category.
Two 2016 studies found that a dose of psilocybin helped ease anxiety and depression for some cancer patients.
mina.corpuz@latimes.com