As the United States continues to soften its stance on various psychedelic substances, many wonder if President Joe Biden could course-correct the nation’s policy towards psilocybin, the primary hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms. Speculations surround the hope that the Biden administration could reschedule psilocybin, similar to how many states have gradually rescheduled marijuana, paving the way for a broader acceptance and medical use of the substance.
Setting the Stage for Psilocybin Rescheduling
Over the past decade, the U.S. has shifted significantly in its stance towards marijuana. Understanding the medicinal benefits, states have increasingly legalized the use of medical marijuana, marking a decisive shift away from the ‘War on Drugs’ era of zero tolerance. The rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II controlled substance by states has allowed for increased medical research and decriminalization of the drug, releasing it from the strictest federal control.
For the psilocybin debate, marijuana’s normalization acts as a potential pathfinder. Similar to marijuana, psilocybin is currently classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This categorization signifies no accepted medical use and a high risk for abuse. However, pioneering research is challenging this stance as scientists uncover potential therapeutic applications of psilocybin, particularly for mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
President Biden’s Role in Psilocybin Rescheduling
While President Biden has favored decriminalization over legalization of marijuana at a federal level, his administration could press for the rescheduling of psilocybin. Yet this change like that of marijuana will be contingent on states creating effective policies and regulatory frameworks around psilocybin.
Given the comparison to how various states dealt with marijuana, advocates are lobbying for a similar tactic for psilocybin decriminalization and regulation, seen as steps towards potential rescheduling. The level of acceptance for psilocybin varies between states, similar to marijuana laws, though a wave of progressive substance reform is sweeping the nation.
For example, in Oregon, voters approved a measure in 2020 to create a program for supervised psilocybin therapy. On the other hand, many concerning the risks of substance misuse are advocating for a stricter regulatory framework.
Future Implications: Psilocybin and Marijuana
If the administration succeeds in rescheduling psilocybin, it could open the doors for more extensive research into its therapeutic potential, as it has with marijuana. It could also catalyze a new wave of decriminalization and regulation.
- More scientific research: Rescheduling psilocybin could release strict regulations and enable more studies and clinical trials, potentially unveiling additional therapeutic uses.
- Decriminalization and regulation: For states that have remained conservative concerning drug regulation, if psilocybin is rescheduled, the change might loosen laws and expand access for medical purposes, as was the case for marijuana.
- Therapeutic use: Like marijuana, designed to be used medically, the potential for psilocybin to be prescribed for a range of mental health conditions could dramatically increase.
While there is considerable ground to cover for the rescheduling of psilocybin, recent developments surrounding progressive substance policies are telling. The possibilities, both in research and actual application, could somewhat mirror the path marijuana has taken over the past decade.
As MMJ.com continues to provide safe access to medical marijuana cards in the USA, the site follows these developments and, once legalization is in place, vows to assist wherever possible.
Progressive changes in the USA’s substance policies may take time, but as history has shown with marijuana, persistence can pave the way for acceptance and regulations that benefit society. The Biden administration’s potential move towards rescheduling psilocybin just might be the next domino to fall in this ongoing development.
