Resources would be allocated to the therapeutic use of substances; project seeks 1 million signatures by June 2024
A proposal underway in California, United States, wants to allocate US$5 billion to fund research, train health professionals and ensure access to therapies using psychedelic substances in the treatment of specific mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
The project presented in July by doctor Jeannie Fontana also proposes creating a new state agency dedicated to regulating “psychedelic medicines” –defined as substances that “produce altered states of consciousness”including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis.
The initiative, known as Treat California (an acronym in English for Treatments, Research, Education, Access and Therapies), still has a long way to go before it qualifies for the popular vote: it must gather 874,641 signatures from California voters to be on the 2024 election ballots, in November. In the USA, it is common that, in addition to voting for representatives, voters also decide on topics of interest within the scope of state legislation.
If it passes to a popular vote, voters will have to answer “yes” or “no” to the statement:
“Grants authorization to issue bonds and establish a state agency for research into therapy with psychedelic substances. Constitutional amendment and statute of the initiative”.
If passed, the law will neither legalize nor decriminalize any potential medications. The goal is to fund clinical trials to determine the safety, efficacy, and appropriate indications for psychedelic-assisted therapies in people diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health issues.
“By providing a steady, sustainable source of funding to develop the psychedelic ecosystem, we can make these medicines available to the public in a safe, responsible and ethical manner.”, states the initiative’s website. The resources would be allocated to the following areas:
- search;
- training of therapists;
- medicines;
- team;
- licenses;
- access;
- public education.
The text explains that, once approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administrationa US health authority similar to Anvisa), any new medical treatment using these substances must be administered by licensed professionals in supervised environments.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the therapeutic interest of substances such as LSD, ketamine and psilocybin (present in so-called “magic mushrooms”). Preliminary research presented by Treat California suggest that psychedelic-assisted therapies can be effective in treating disorders such as post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety, reducing some symptoms by up to 87%.
“We want to provide Californians the opportunity to vote YES for a funding agency dedicated to mental health and addiction treatment using psychedelic medications.”describes the project.
The initiative to establish the Treat Institute agency could enter California’s electoral ballot as a state statute on November 5, 2024, the day of the US general election, which is also expected to decide the new president of the United States.
California is one of 2 US states which allow citizens to initiate proposals for amendments to the Constitution and state statutes, modifying the State Constitution. The other state that offers this possibility is Colorado.
For amendments or statutes to be certified for the 2024 ballots, petitions have a period of 180 days to circulate from the date of their drafting. In addition to this and the number of signatures, it is also necessary for signature verification to be completed approximately 131 days before the general election on June 27, 2024. But it is advisable to submit signatures at least 2 months before this verification deadline, a as the process can be time-consuming.
The state agency would be financed through the sale of public debt securities to investors. “This creates funds in a way that reduces state costs and does not represent an increase in taxes”explains the institute’s website.
Furthermore, the proposal foresees an annual cap of US$500 million, with average costs for the state of California estimated at approximately US$220 million annually over 30 years, totaling US$6.6 billion over the period.
Read the summary included in the signature petition sheets below:
“Creates a state agency to regulate ‘psychedelic medicines’ (defined as substances that ‘induce altered states of consciousness,’ including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis). Requires the agency to provide funding for research, development, and delivery of psychedelic medications and therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions and health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Establishes the ‘constitutional right to conduct research’ using psychedelic medicines. Authorizes $5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund the agency, with an annual cap of $500 million. Appropriates money from the General Fund to pay the bonds.”.
Read the complete of the petition (569 kB – PDF, in English).
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