In a significant development in Massachusetts, the campaign to legalize plant-based psychedelic substances, including psilocybin mushrooms, is facing a potential setback. State officials have identified disqualifying marks on ballot papers, putting the initiative’s place on the 2024 ballot in jeopardy. The campaign, led by Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, reportedly printed a labor union logo on their ballot sheets, a move that contradicts signature-gathering regulations and may invalidate thousands of signatures.
Jennifer Manley, a spokesperson for the ballot campaign, expressed determination to meet the signature threshold despite these challenges. The petition aims to allow individuals aged 21 and over to legally consume psychedelics at licensed therapy centers and decriminalize the possession of substances like psilocybin, ibogaine, and mescaline in Massachusetts.
This development underscores a divide within the activist community, with some local activists skeptical of the ballot question strategy. They are concerned about the creation of a regulatory body for psychedelics, fearing it could make access prohibitively expensive, similar to what has been observed in Oregon.
The campaign has until November 22 to file signatures for certification, with Manley confident in meeting this deadline. For more details on this unfolding story, visit the original article on WBUR.