What is Massachusetts Ballot Question 4? Legalizing some psychedelic drugs
BOSTON - Ballot Question 4 in Massachusetts would legalize and regulate the use of some psychedelic drugs.
Two of the substances that would be allowed are found in mushrooms - psilocybin and psilocyn. The three others would be dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine, which are found in plants.
Ballot Question 4
A "yes" vote would allow people over the age of 21 in the state to grow and use those psychedelic substances. It would also create a commission to regulate them.
A "no" vote would mean no current change to the law and psychedelic substances would remain illegal.
"Yes" on Ballot Question 4
"Psychedelics have an ability to heal and to help people with mental health challenges," said Eliza Dushku Palandjian. "For addiction, for trauma, for PTSD, for end of life care."
The drug was life-changing for the actress and Watertown native, who rose to fame on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She is now a behavioral health advocate. She said years ago, she found herself at rock bottom.
"I've completely changed my life," Dushku Palandjian told WBZ-TV. "I was hopeless and in pain, to today, where how far I've come, I think others should have that option as well."
She said conventional health care options didn't work for her and she's not the only one.
"I came to psychedelic therapy after a long mental health battle myself," said U.S. Navy veteran Emily Oneschuk. She fell into a depression after her brother was shot in 2017. Coupled with a military deployment, her life became a pressure cooker.
"Over the course of my time on active duty, I just felt, I called them the shades were coming down," she told WBZ.
A trauma therapist directed Oneschuk towards a psychedelic retreat in Jamaica. She said her life changed.
"I've seen it change my life and I've seen it change a lot of other people's lives too," Oneschuk said. "What's important is that we lead with education, we have open conversations about (what) responsible use looks like."
"No" on Ballot Question 4
But those opposing Question 4 disagree, saying it's moving too fast.
"We're a coalition of first responders, veterans, psychiatrists, medical professionals, those in the recovery community that say this goes way too far," said Chris Keohan from the Coalition for Safe Communities.
If passed, a commission would be formed to regulate the sale and services of psychedelics. A tax would be imposed on any psychedelic treatment facilities and sales. It would also allow anyone age 21 or older to grow, possess, and use the substances in Massachusetts.
Keohan said that's a major concern.
"The home growth alone is dangerous for children, it's dangerous for pets. This isn't medicine, it's not safe," Keohan told WBZ.
Currently, psychedelics are classified as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance in Massachusetts, which means there is no accepted medical use and there's a high potential for abuse.
There are five ballot questions that will be decided on Election Day.