Now that marijuana legalization has gained momentum across the country, supporters of decriminalizing or legalizing psychedelic substances are gearing up make these drugs more widely accessible. Voters in Oregon and Washington, D.C., approved such measures this year for psilocybin mushrooms, and now activists in California are urging the Oakland City Council to adopt a resolution calling on the state to do the same—and to allow such drugs to be used in “healing ceremonies.” In Oregon, the measure authorized hallucinogens to treat mental health conditions, a move that was criticized by the American Psychiatric Association, saying there’s not enough scientific research showing that such drugs are safe and effective in clinical applications—and moreover, that treatment options for serious mental health conditions should not be decided by popular vote.
Meanwhile, one of the major selling points of marijuana legalization was that it would help bring about minority entrepreneurship by promoting ownership of pot shops by people of color, who suffered most during the war on drugs. But once again, the reality is quite different: in Illinois, nearly a year after legalization of recreational marijuana, there’s not a single licensed cannabis business that counts a person of color as majority owner. Instead, those who received licenses were people with deep pockets, political connections and ties to the burgeoning cannabis industry, which reported $580 million in sales so far this year in Illinois.
And finally, Florida is expected to be the next big state to consider cannabis reform, with pro-pot groups pushing for a ballot measure at a time when legalization enjoys broad popular support. Florida’s medical marijuana industry is already valued at around $1 billion, but the Republican-controlled legislature has so far blocked efforts to approve adult-use recreational pot.