Shroom for disagreement

Also: How hazardous chemicals can move from packaging into food [❤️ Donate]( [View in Browser]( September 24, 2024    Hi CommonHealth reader, I'm hoping to engage your mind for a few minutes on the topic of psychedelics. They're often discussed as a [new frontier for pharmaceuticals]( and a breakthrough treatment for [post-traumatic stress disorder]( [depression]( and [addiction](. There's been a lot of buzz since Michael Pollan's best-seller "How to Change Your Mind" hit bookshelves in 2018, describing the "new science of psychedelics." But anyone interested in trying psychedelic therapy hits a wall because they're illegal everywhere in the U.S., except Oregon and Colorado, where voters have approved ballot initiatives to legalize the therapeutic use of several psychedelics. On Nov. 5, Massachusetts will decide whether to join them. A ballot measure, known as "[Question 4]( will ask Bay State voters whether "natural" psychedelics - including psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline and ibogaine - should be decriminalized and regulated. The measure calls for a new commission, similar to the state's Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the industry. People wouldn't be able to buy psychedelics at retail stores like they can with marijuana, but those over 21 would be allowed to purchase and consume them with supervision at licensed facilities. Adults would also be allowed to grow and possess small quantities in their homes. Other psychedelics, like MDMA, sometimes known as ecstasy, and LSD or acid would still be illegal. At the moment, it looks like the vote on Question 4 will be very close. A [WBUR/CommonWealth Beacon poll]( out Tuesday shows 44% of likely voters oppose to the measure, while 42% support it. That's well within the poll's 4.1% margin of error, meaning there's essentially a dead heat on this question. A large enough share of voters to swing the results - 14% - remain undecided or declined to answer this question in the poll. Several factors may help explain some of the opposition to Question 4. A series of [personnel problems and regulatory delays]( at the cannabis commission may be leading Massachusetts residents to question that mode of oversight. There's general concern about making drugs that alter consciousness more available. And Massachusetts would be expanding a market that caters to adults who can afford this treatment - which is not covered by insurance. Rich Parr, one of the pollsters who analyzed the survey's 800 responses, said there's a bit of a generational divide. "It's more popular with the 18 to 44 set, and it's less popular with the 45-plus," said Parr, senior research director at the MassINC Polling Group, which conducted the survey with funding support from the Knight Election Hub. "So it's older voters who are a little less sold on this proposal." Parr said there may be less support for psychedelics than for marijuana, which voters legalized in 2016, because psychedelics are seen as more dangerous drugs. Psychedelics remain illegal under federal law, and [far fewer states]( have pushed to relax their rules compared to marijuana. A University of New Hampshire [survey]( of 596 Massachusetts voters released last week found stronger enthusiasm for this measure: 51% in support, 20% opposed and 28% undecided. In the WBUR poll, respondents who said they plan to vote yes noted the ballot question's focus on the potential healing power of psychedelics. "I don't have a problem with it, especially if it's for therapeutic use," Katie Durso, 57, of Arlington told WBUR's Walter Wuthmann. It's unclear what might happen in the next five weeks or so to influence undecided voters. If you're one of them - or if you'd like to know more about Question 4 - check out our [explainer]( and stay tuned for details about a live debate we'll host on this important ballot question. Martha Bebinger Reporter, Health This Week's Must Reads [New research points to raccoon dogs in Wuhan market as pandemic trigger. It's controversial]( With genetic samples from the infamous Wuhan market, a new study makes the case that raccoon dogs are likely the animal that infected humans. Proponents of the lab leak theory are dubious. [Read more.]( [New research points to raccoon dogs in Wuhan market as pandemic trigger. It's controversial]( With genetic samples from the infamous Wuhan market, a new study makes the case that raccoon dogs are likely the animal that infected humans. Proponents of the lab leak theory are dubious. 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Here's what you can do]( Insurers' failures to update their provider directories have led to dire consequences for people seeking mental health care. Here's how you can navigate these challenges to find treatment. [Read more.]( 🧠💥 Did you know...💥🧠 ...researchers have found rats in laboratory settings will help each other when they're in distress? NPR [reports]( that's one of many findings emerging out what could become a "golden age" of rat research. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](   [Donate](   # # Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences](.   I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.   Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here](. 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