Readers say

Experts and readers weigh in on question 4.

Legalization of psychedelics in Massachusetts drew national attention and divided some Masa voters on both sides of the vote measure as November 5th quickly approaches.

The primary sponsor of the ballot measure, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO)says Question 4 outlines a comprehensive treatment plan for adults over the age of 21 with serious mental health conditions “under the supervision and guidance of a trained and licensed professional at regulated therapy centers,” on their website.

“What is known about psychedelics is that they produce a profound shift in consciousness that is often experienced as something deeply significant, important, or profound happening,” said Dr. Franklin King, an instructor at Harvard Medical School and director of training and education at Mass. . Generic Psychedelic Neuroscience Center.

If voters decide “yes” to question 4, Mass. it will be third state in the nation to have legislation allowing adult use of psychedelic drugs, followed by Colorado and Oregon.

“(Psychedelics) produce very strong, powerful states. These are not to be taken lightly,” said Dr. King. “Certainly for some people there can be very challenging experiences. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, just as a really positive experience with psychedelic drugs can leave lasting changes.”

Founding Partner at Shawmut Strategies and Spokesperson for Coalition for Safe CommunitiesChris Keohan, is among the voters in Massachusetts who are confident they will vote “no” this fall.

“We don’t question the medical benefits of doing this under a doctor’s supervision. But this takes it a significant step too far and reduces the overall safety of those here in Massachusetts,” Keohan said. “Not just with the added problems of drunk driving or drugs, but the problems that would be involved in raising the house for children, pets and (and) home insurance in general.”

The Coalition’s main concern with the ballot measure is the ability to grow psychedelics at home. The measure would allow up to 144 square meters to be raised The minimum dimensions of a master bedroom in the state is 120 square meters.

“That’s an astronomical amount of square footage to grow the house,” Keohan said. “I probably wouldn’t be involved in this voting question on the ‘no’ side if the house increase wasn’t included. The fact that it is, I think, represents a real and significant threat to public safety.”

While they favor universal legalization, some voters worry about access limitations.

This applies to driving to Bay Stater for Natural Medicinea community group dedicated to educating members about the use of psychedelic drugs.

“Eight cities and counting have already said they want this policy implemented,” said James Davis, executive director and co-founder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine. “If we just put this in place, that’s in some ways the best form of legalization because it means people will get this drug from someone they know and grow it themselves.”

However, there are varying opinions on how psychedelic drugs should be regulated in the state.

“We never thought a ballot question would be feasible in the state of Massachusetts,” Davis said. “We don’t think we’re there from a public opinion perspective, and that’s why we exist. Let’s educate slowly, have the hard conversations, meet with people who disagree with us, not just try to force our way through by getting 51% of the vote.”

“That’s really what we want as an alternative form of legalization,” he said.

Following the announcement of the certified ballot questions, Boston.com polled readers asking whether or not they believe that psychedelic mental health care should be legalized in the state. Out of 430 total responses, 74% voted ‘yes’, 21 voted ‘no’ and 4% chose ‘don’t know’.

Based on reader responses, two of the most prevalent topics and concerns around legalization were public safety and mental health.

Here’s a sample of what readers said and how they plan to vote on Question 4.

Some answers have been lightly edited for length or clarity.

Yes: Psychedelics are good for mental health

Of the majority of yes votes, readers cited what psychedelic-assisted therapy could do for managing PTSD and other severe mental health diagnoses. Dr. King said, “There’s a decent amount of work on the part of the patient, just being open to the experience and not trying to ward off any negative things that may come up.”

“People hear psychedelic and forget the word therapy,” added Dr. King. “I think this is just kind of addressing the kind of contemporary issues that we can probably expect to see more of in terms of psychedelics.”

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is a grinding, agonizing disease that claims countless lives through suicide and leaves many more lives ruined. It disproportionately affects veterans, first responders and BIPOC people. Conventional medication and psychotherapy are insufficient to help these people. But research from Johns Hopkins, Columbia and other universities has shown remarkable and rapid benefits from short psilocybin treatment. Nixon-era bias cost us 50 years of needless suffering. It’s about time.”

– Mark M., Pittsfield, votes yes.

“For medical and psychological use only, not recreational. The data is compelling.”

– Peggy B., Lenox, votes yes.

“This medication is so vital for those dealing with PTSD or childhood trauma. It allows us to move beyond our fears and find self-care and love within ourselves. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, the leading psychiatrist in trauma therapy, has studied this and is an advocate for this type of treatment. It is discussed within it New York Times bestseller, ‘The Body Keeps the Score.'”

– Matt, Walpole, vote yes.

“If this natural mushroom can help someone heal, it should be available to them. The more natural medicines the better for the body and our planet.”

– John, Woburn, votes yes.

“Psychedelic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and clearly have a reason for being used. It doesn’t make sense that these mushrooms are still illegal when other substances, such as alcohol, which are generally more harmful, are not.”

– Cannon W., Framingham, votes yes.

No: I’m concerned about public safety

A common reason readers say they will vote “no” stems from concerns about the potentially adverse effects this access could have. Keohan advises that people should “listen to medical professionals. Listen to the psychiatrists.”

“For mental health clinic use, yes. For recreational use, no. We have seen an increase in drug abuse since the legalization of marijuana. Our energy should go into treatment rather than legalization.”

– A Boston.com reader, vote no.

“Psychedelics are not proven to be drugs per se. What psychedelic research has shown is the potential therapeutic efficacy of ASSISTED PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY in highly structured/supportive situations. These substances pose real psychological/mental health risks that need to be better understood before expanding their access to real environments. Premature legalization can have unintended negative effects on public mental health, with certain vulnerable populations (such as high-risk youth) being most vulnerable.”

– A Boston.com reader, Cambridge, votes “no.”

“The risks are known. The benefits are limited. It can be ‘administered’ at home, a route of abuse.”

– PB, Brookline, vote no.

“I’m an emergency nurse. Since marijuana was legalized, the number of trauma cases I see due to cannabis use has skyrocketed. I can smell it in some patients; others admit to using edibles. Most recently, I took the vitals of a driver who passed out while in a wreck and who broke both femurs of the driver whose car hit her with the truck. Human nature is what it is and “patients” will misuse this “medicine” causing permanent damage to others. With alcohol, officers could test blood or breath at the scene to detect intoxication. Not so with previously illegal drugs.”

– A Boston.com reader, vote no.

“One wonders if the item was not taxed if we followed that. Things that distort normal cognitive functioning would seem to be the wrong thing to promote.”

– Magee, Dorchester, votes no.

I am undecided

“I think we should legalize them. I don’t think the part of the bill where it has to be taken under the guise of very expensive for-profit licensed (ie: for-profit private corporations) very expensive “health” centers should be in this bill or should be allowed. These useful drugs should be decriminalized and allowed to be used without the warning of health centers. We don’t do that with marijuana. It should not be done in this case either. It limits access to the very wealthy, and those with mental health needs who are not wealthy are denied access under this bill.”

– Alex, Melrose, votes “I don’t know.”

“I don’t know enough about them to give a fair opinion, but if something is described as ‘psychedelic’, isn’t that akin to distorting reality? I’m not sure how altering reality could be beneficial to anyone.”

– Erin, Nashua, votes “I don’t know.”

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal surveys and polls. These results should be read as an unscientific indicator of reader opinion.

Nia Harmon

Community cooperative

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Nia Harmon is a community contributor for Boston.com and a journalism student at Emerson College. She is a journalism major with a minor in media studies at Emerson College. She is originally from Dallas, Texas.

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