Question 4 - Legalize Psychedelics

Ballot Icon Ballot Measure

FAILED

Result Icon Result

CONSERVATIVE

BALLOT LANGUAGE

This proposed law (p. 25) would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocyn) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine). These substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. This proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances. This proposed law would also provide for the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances. This proposed law would license and regulate facilities offering supervised use of these psychedelic substances and provide for the taxation of proceeds from those facilities' sales of psychedelic substances. It would also allow persons aged 21 and older to grow these psychedelic substances in a 12-foot by 12-foot area at their home and use these psychedelic substances at their home. This proposed law would authorize persons aged 21 or older to possess up to one gram of psilocybin, one gram of psilocyn, one gram of dimethyltryptamine, 18 grams of mescaline, and 30 grams of ibogaine ("personal use amount"), in addition to whatever they might grow at their home, and to give away up to the personal use amount to a person aged 21 or over. This proposed law would create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission of five members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer which would administer the law governing the use and distribution of these psychedelic substances. The Commission would adopt regulations governing licensing qualifications, security, recordkeeping, education and training, health and safety requirements, testing, and age verification. This proposed law would also create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board of 20 members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer which would study and make recommendations to the Commission on the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances. This proposed law would allow cities and towns to reasonably restrict the time, place, and manner of the operation of licensed facilities offering psychedelic substances, but cities and towns could not ban those facilities or their provision of these substances. The proceeds of sales of psychedelic substances at licensed facilities would be subject to the state sales tax and an additional excise tax of 15 percent. In addition, a city or town could impose a separate tax of up to two percent. Revenue received from the additional state excise tax, license application fees, and civil penalties for violations of this proposed law would be deposited in a Natural Psychedelic Substances Regulation Fund and would be used, subject to appropriation, for administration of this proposed law. Using the psychedelic substances as permitted by this proposed law could not be a basis to deny a person medical care or public assistance, impose discipline by a professional licensing board, or enter adverse orders in child custody cases absent clear and convincing evidence that the activities created an unreasonable danger to the safety of a minor child. This proposed law would not affect existing laws regarding the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence, or the ability of employers to enforce workplace policies restricting the consumption of these psychedelic substances by employees. This proposed law would allow property owners to prohibit the use, display, growing, processing, or sale of these psychedelic substances on their premises. State and local governments could continue to restrict the possession and use of these psychedelic substances in public buildings or at schools. This proposed law would take effect on December 15, 2024.

WHAT IT MEANS

Yes

A "Yes" vote means that you desire to legalize psychedelic use in Massachusetts according to the following parameters:

  • must be 21 or older to grow possess and use specified psychedelics with growth allowed in 12 ft. by 12 ft. area of home
  • substances allowed include psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine
  • substances can only be purchased from a licensed facilitator
  • no retail sale of these substances
  • Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission created to govern use, distribution, licensing, etc.

No

A "No" vote will keep psychedelics illegal in Massachusetts.

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST

Yes

  • “Many people in Massachusetts are struggling with a mental health condition, including military veterans with PTSD, first responders and health care workers who face extreme levels of stress on the job, and patients with terminal illness who experience severe anxiety and depression when confronting the end of life. Existing treatments—such as daily medications and traditional talk therapy—help some people. But for many, these tools aren’t working. Research from leading medical institutions shows natural psychedelic medicines is a breakthrough treatment that can significantly improve outcomes for people with PTSD, major depression, severe anxiety, OCD, headache disorders, and other difficult to treat health conditions.” - Massachusetts for Mental Health Options 

[Source]

  • “VOTE YES on Question 4 to enable therapeutic access to natural psychedelic medicines (such as psilocybin) that show promise in treating mental health conditions. It creates a regulatory framework to govern their use and decriminalizes limited personal use. Recent research has shown their value in helping individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, or alcohol/substance abuse, and states like Oregon and Colorado have taken the lead on establishing a regulated, therapeutic framework for their use.” - Progressive Massachusetts  

[Source]

  • “Our mental health crisis is in dire need of solutions. Overdose deaths from substance abuse are shockingly high and millions of Americans are debilitated by post-traumatic stress disorder without effective treatment options. Natural psychedelics provide a promising, necessary, and research-backed opportunity for healing where traditional therapies have fallen short. We can all get behind treatments to alleviate these profound problems, and in Massachusetts we can create access to life-saving healthcare by voting yes on ballot question four.” - Linsday Sabadosa, MA State Representative and Jamie Eldridge, MA State Senator  

[Source]

No

  • “This November, Massachusetts voters will decide on a proposed ballot question that would legalize psychedelics, open for-profit psychedelic centers, and allow for the growth and distribution of homegrown psychedelics throughout the Commonwealth. If passed, this would immediately allow for at-home growth and for the distribution of homegrown psychedelics, creating a massive loophole for an unregulated and unsafe black market. The proposed referendum would allow individuals to grow psychedelics in a 12-foot by 12-foot area – that is larger than the average bedroom. This huge space will allow individuals to grow psychedelics in quantities that far exceed what proponents call “individual consumption”. Since the measure also allows individuals to distribute their homegrown psychedelics, it would immediately open the door for an unregulated and unsafe black market.” - Coalition For Safe Communities   

[Source]

  • “While psychedelic substances hold promise for future mental health treatments, this proposal is premature and not suitable for implementing what are still experimental therapies on a population-wide scale.” - Massachusetts Medical Society 

[Source]

  • “It would be a huge mistake to be on the ballot. We don’t know if taking psychedelics is effective for depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). We don’t know the side effects, short-term and long-term. From a medical standpoint, we don't know if they work and we don't fully understand the side effects. I'm all for new treatments, but they're not ready to be released to the general population. It's too dangerous." - Dr. Anthony Rothschild, Professor of Psychiatry, UMass Chan Medical School 

[Source]

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

Yes

Committees formed to SUPPORT the Massachusetts Question 4, Legalization and Regulation of Psychedelics Initiative (2024):

MASSACHUSETTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH OPTIONS

Selected Contributions TO Massachusetts for Mental Health Options include:

  • Outreach Team
  • All One God Faith Inc.
  • Dharmesh Shah
  • Blake Mycoskie
  • New Approach Advocacy Fund
  • Austin Hearst
  • Salguero Holdings LLC

No

Committees formed to OPPOSE the Massachusetts Question 4, Legalization and Regulation of Psychedelics Initiative (2024):

COALITION FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES

Selected Contributions TO Coalition for Safe Communities include:

  • NA (No Contributions reported as of Oct 11, 2024)

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