Certain cities are unhappy with the so-called “progressive” stance Oregon has taken on psychedelics. The state became the first in the country to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic purposes four years ago.
Through a ballot measure at this year’s election on Nov. 5, four Oregon cities voted to impose new bans on usage of the psychedelic drug.
Furthermore, twelve smaller state communities that implemented two-year bans in 2022 have now made their restrictions permanent.
One former Oregon police officer feels that they are making a mistake. Jason Burdge says psilocybin was a game changer for treating his career-related PTSD. He thinks that prohibiting psychedelic mushrooms is nonsensical when nobody is being forced to use them.
“It’s really limiting an important mental health resource,” Burdge, retired cop and member of the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association, told Oregon Public Broadcasting earlier this month. This mushroom advocacy group recently hosted a conference in its home city of Portland to promote the drug’s therapeutic use.
Others who are opposed say that there is insufficient research on the drug and that they are weary of the negative impact it may have if used irresponsibly.
There are more than 30 licensed psilocybin treatment centres throughout the state. Too many, some have argued. The oversupply of these facilities in Oregon has made therapy sessions outrageously expensive. Many are having to charge over US$1,500 per session to make feasible returns from their clinic investments.
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Some facilities have had to dial 911
Psilocybin centre staff in Oregon have had to make emergency phone calls five times since the state opened up its first designated facility last summer.
One of these incidents resulted from someone deciding to pull the fire alarm while under the influence. Another became suspicious that facilitators were “up to something” and wandered off onto a busy road mid-session, according to a report from The Oregonian on Nov. 13.
Well over 3,500 people have taken psilocybin at therapy centres licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. More than 200 facilitators have been authorized by the agency to provide treatment with the psychedelic.
rowan@mugglehead.com
