"California Contemplates Legalizing Magic Mushrooms"

The California Senate has approved a bill to legalize certain psychedelics, including psychedelic mushrooms, for individuals aged 21 and older. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the bill will take effect in 2025, allowing the possession and cultivation of plant-based psychedelics. While Newsom has not indicated his stance on the bill, he has been critical of the war on drugs and has supported cannabis legalization. Veterans and advocates argue that psychedelics can be beneficial for mental health treatments, particularly for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some believe that accessing psychedelics through federal avenues, such as the FDA, would be more effective in ensuring affordability and insurance coverage for treatments. Currently, Colorado and Oregon are the only states that have fully legalized the use of mushrooms. The bill includes restrictions on possession near schools and prohibits providing psychedelics to minors.