Massachusetts voters reject legalization of psychedelics. Here's what to know
Massachusetts voters made the decision to not legalize psychedelics on Tuesday.
On the Massachusetts ballot as Question 4, 57% voted against the measure as of Wednesday morning, with about 90% of votes counted.
The law would have allowed the following:
- Adults 21 and up to possess, grow and use "certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances"
- Adults 21 and up to purchase psychedelic substances at an approved location
- License and regulation of facilities offering supervised use of psychedelic substances
- Creation of a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board
- Provide cities and towns the ability to reasonably restrict the time, place and manner of the operation of licensed facilities selling psychedelic substances (facilities cannot be banned)
- Proceeds of psychedelic substance sales at licensed facilities to be subject to the states sale tax, in addition to 15% excise tax
- City or town may impose a separate tax of up to 2%
- Restriction on the basis to deny medical care and public assistance, discipline by a professional licensing board or adverse orders in child custody cases for adults 21 and up using psychedelic substances legally
The law would not have affected existing laws regarding the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence in Massachusetts or the ability of employers to enforce workplace policies restricting the consumption of psychedelics.
State and local governments could have continued to restrict psychedelics in public buildings and at schools.
Adults 21 and up would have been authorized to possess up to one gram of psilocybin, one gram of psilocyn, one gram of dimethyltryptamine, 18 grams of mescaline and and 30 grams of ibogaine. Adults 21 and up would have also been permitted to grow psychedelic substances in a 12-foot-by-12-foot area in their homes.
Property owners would have been allowed to prohibit the use, display, growing, processing or sale of psychedelics on their premises under the law.
What psychedelic substances would have been legal?
Permitted "natural psychedelic substances" would have included two found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocyn) and three found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline and ibogaine).
Colorado and Oregon are the only three states where psychedelics are legal.
Massachusetts legalized medical marijuana in 2012 and recreational marijuana in 2016.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.