Oakland has followed Denver’s progressive lead in drug criminalization, becoming the second city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin, the psychotropic compound found in magic mushrooms.

The bill’s proponents argue that plants containing these naturally occurring mind-altering substances have been used in society for millennia for ritualistic purposes, and today have been linked to helping with PTSD, addiction, and beyond. Decriminalizing these substances will also free up room for law enforcement officials to tackle “bigger issues.”

Thirty patients who’ve used psilocybin products to better their mental health offered their testimonies when it came time to vote on the new bill; however, there were a few naysayers. One physician cited his concern that, as opposed to controlled or ritualistic environments where the healing actually occurs, the majority of the population would be using these substances recreationally. There is currently no medical evidence to support increased mental health—or adverse reactions, for that matter—in a recreational setting. For this reason, a few of the opponents of the bill felt the city should wait to see what happens in Denver first before passing legislation of their own.

H/T: USA Today

Tags: denver, magic mushrooms, oakland, psilocybin

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