Alaska could become one of the next states to loosen restrictions on psychedelic plants and magic mushrooms.
On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom certified a ballot initiative that would legalize and regulate the therapeutic and traditional use of certain natural medicines — including psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline (but not from peyote), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and ibogaine. Supporters now must gather signatures to get the matter on the ballot.
The measure, titled 25ANMA would allow adults 21 and over to legally access, cultivate, and use these substances under a regulated framework. It would also formally protect indigenous and traditional spiritual uses.
“This certification reflects the constitutional and statutory requirements for citizen-led initiatives in Alaska,” Dahlstrom said. “While voters will ultimately decide the merits of the proposal, the application meets all legal criteria for form and content.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, the psychological effects of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and a psychotic-like episode also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a high dose. Common side effects are nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, and poor coordination.
If approved at the ballot box, the initiative would:
- Create a Natural Medicine Control Board to oversee licensing, regulation, and public education;
- Establish a Traditional Use Council to safeguard cultural and spiritual practices;
- Decriminalize personal possession, cultivation, and non-commercial sharing;
- Authorize licensed facilities and facilitators for therapeutic services;
- Protect certified traditional practitioners and clients from criminal penalties.
The Alaska Department of Law reviewed the measure and found it met constitutional and statutory standards.
Supporters must gather signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast in the last general election, with representation from at least three-quarters of Alaska’s House districts.
Sen. Forrest Dunbar has been unsuccessful in getting legalization of clinical use of magic mushrooms through the legislature.
With legalization of marijuana cultivation and regulated sales in Alaska, a black market has grown in the state, as unregulated markets undercut the retail storefront sellers. Usage of marijuana among minors has increased as the various forms of cannabis have become more commonplace and accessible to children.
This all we need in Alaska, more bad behavior, instability and mental insanity. What has become of our once common sense state? 🤔
Exposure to idiots like Forrest Dunbar is a key issue for Alaska. The question at this point should be, what has been the impact in areas where similar changes have been approved?
Nothing good will have come from it. Alcoholics, marijuana addicts, and those pretending to need prescription pain killers have been trouble enough. Enhanced legal access to more won’t make Alaska a better place. F Dunbar.
How familiar are you with these things?
Suzanne correctly stated
“With legalization of marijuana cultivation and regulated sales in Alaska, a black market has grown in the state, as unregulated markets undercut the retail storefront sellers. Usage of marijuana among minors has increased as the various forms of cannabis have become more commonplace and accessible to children.”
My question, is that a fundamental problem with legalization, or a result of the poor way the state manages and (in particular) taxes the product.
Let’s see, at a tax rate of $800/lb at the wholesale level, and an average wholesale price of between $2400 and $2200 a lb, that effectively a tax rate between 33 and 36%.
Plus testing costs (that’s a good thing, other than there are only two labs in the state so minimal competition), is it any wonder that the black market is thriving.
Does this effect me personally? No.
Do I see this as just one more case of governmental mismanagement.
Absolutely.
John Galt, You quote the following, “With legalization of marijuana cultivation and regulated sales in Alaska, a black market has grown in the state” I know you realize Ayn Rand advocated free markets. Moreover, you surely realize there was been a thriving black market for marijuana in Alaska for at least seven decades prior to it becoming legal to sell. Nevertheless, criminalizing these substances has proven futile; just like alcohol. Its a waste of money and effort. We regulate tobacco without criminalizing it. We can do the same for marijuana and mushrooms.
And, you ask, “does this affect me personally?” Yes, undoubtedly. Marijuana makes users lazy and stupid. The result is legions of less productive, disengaged, poorer citizens who are an economic drag on all of us.
“…….Marijuana makes users lazy and stupid………”
Marijuana makes users MORE lazy and stupid. They had to be lazy and stupid to begin with to take up the habit.
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John Galt, You quote the following, “With legalization of marijuana cultivation and regulated sales in Alaska, a black market has grown in the state” I know you realize Ayn Rand advocated free markets. Moreover, you surely realize there was a thriving black market for marijuana in Alaska for at least seven decades prior to it becoming legal to sell. Nevertheless, criminalizing these substances has proven futile; just like alcohol. Its a waste of money and effort. We regulate tobacco without criminalizing it. We can do the same for marijuana and mushrooms.
And, you ask, “does this affect me personally?” Yes, undoubtedly. Marijuana makes users lazy and stupid. The result is legions of less productive, disengaged, poorer citizens who are an economic drag on all of us.
Anybody who didn’t see the black market going on as if nothing had happened after marijuana legalization was either incredibly stupid or in denial. There is not way a legal industry, with required regulations and significant taxation can compete with an established black market that had been supplying the stuff for the previous half century.
Just what Alaska needs, more people doped up. Another step backwards for society.
Are you aware of how beneficial these can be? This isn’t just an excuse – mountains of scientific studies and documentaries out there showing how these things can fill a void entirely unaddressed or poorly addressed by today’s standards.
Mike, you seem to be a proponent of this measure. Here is my concern, everyone including Mr. Dunbar talks about the potential benefits for certain psychiatric conditions.
That being said however this petition basically will allow ANYONE to grow their own.
I ask to what purpose? To go out and find some vets with PTSD and dose them??? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I am in favor of clinical trials in controlled settings, but this wholesale free-for-all is very concerning to me.
Really??? Really??? So Anchorage is Hell in my opinion. This state already has the lowest scores for schools, high crime rates, Liberal run cities who do not care and more. Absolutely zero reason for it other than to placate the dumb that believe this garbage does anything. Forrest Dunbar is an idiot at Best. Could care less what he thinks or wants. This state does not need more legalization of bad drugs like that. My God how much farther does this state have to fall??? Apparently no one wants to live normally they all wanna be F’d up! Disgusting!
You obviously mean, “could not care less….”
Have you heard of the Stoned Ape Theory? Many people believe that entheogens are the reason we have higher cognition. They also believe these help fight the bad drugs, not simply through replacement, but killing the desire to partake…
What a bunch of ///////. The ‘homeless’ problem is about to get a boost.
Most people in the know believe this may help the homeless problem.
“According to the National Institutes of Health, the psychological effects of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality.”
So, radical leftism, in other words.
No thank you. Please no. Pray against this.
Keep as many people as possible dumb, drugged and dependent. But make sure they vote. Great progress was made to that end with legalization of marijuana but evidently more dependent dysfunctional voters needed.
Not addressing the mental health crisis will lead to worse outcomes. At least this is something…
“Come to Alaska and see the Northen Lights regardless of the weather!”
The damage to the human mind from hallucinogens is lasting, sometimes permanent. DON’T DO THIS, it would be a mistake that cannot be undone. Only the mental “health” industry and the homeless industrial complex are in favor of this as they stand to profit from the misery this will cause.
There is a growing body of experience that suggests magic mushrooms are a solution to some forms of mental illness (depression, for instance) rather than a problem. Best news is that exposure only has to be done once rather than multiple times. Dunno if I agree with the move, But do agree with the need to have the discussion.
The other discussion we need to have is over pot, as in: Precisely how much exposure to it is a negative? What amount of TCH in the bloodstream constitutes inebriation / being under the influence. It is an important discussion because we have been able to detect THC in the bloodstream 21+ days after use for over 40 years. What are regulating and why? No disagreement with the notion that for some constant use of pot puts some into Cheech and Chong mode. But for some, it doesn’t. Cheers –
The legislature and Anchorage Assembly already act like they are using psychedelics. What’s going to happen if we give the kids the message that psychedelics are “safe”?
Problem with psilocin is that to even remotely reach the type of effects obtainable from Hoffman’s discovery you have to take so much that you get into potentially toxic levels- “mushroom drunk” is a thing and so is complete unconsciousness. If you are going to be a Traveller, better to ride the vehicle that actually gets you to the destination without risking being short-term comatose. Go first class or stay home. Of course, that ride will never be “un” Scheduled because it would be too risky for the status quo social control (Turn on, tune in, drop out).
Oops not Hoffman but Hofmann; forgot the Swiss spelling.
1.5 grams is a fine level, it will get you where you want to go. Legalization might help us get more top shelf shrooms.
1.5 g ?!? Ha! That’s like going to a prostitute for a hug. I’m talking about full fractalization of your soul, man. Astral projection amongst the stars. That’s the ticket AND the destination. Going ALL the way.
Dear God please No! Drugs and alcohol ruin enough lives in AK.
The toxic ones, surely..
The article says, “It would also formally protect indigenous and traditional spiritual uses.” Does this mean that only an exclusive class of people will be allowed to use certain psychedelic plants? And the rest of Alaskans woule be prohibited from using those plants?
The article says, “It would also formally protect indigenous and traditional spiritual uses.” Does this mean that only an exclusive class of people would be allowed to use certain psychedelic plants? And the rest of Alaskans would be prohibited from using those plants?
Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. What could possibly go wrong c/ this insane leftist plot?
I don’t think it’s a plot. These really are effective and have flown under the radar because of cultural demonization. How much do you know about these things?
Hopefully the FDA will be radically changed for the better with folks like JFK junior and Rand Paul involved.
Just don’t let drugged people pilot our airliners or perform surgery on us. Though my first frontal lobotomy (right side) hurt like hell, I didn’t mind my second one (left side). Now I keep misplacing my auto-pen!
Wrong…the legalization of Cannabis has destroyed any black market in AK…you can’t compete with the low retail prices if you tried to grow on your own. All your MAGA commentors forget that Alcohol is still the most abused Drug in AK and it causes the most violence. Shrooms have been showed to help vets with PTSD and AK sure has a lot of them roaming the woods.
You know people get mad when you tell the truth, why would you do that?
Everyone quite growing dope unless it’s for fun. Teens are just stealing it from their parents like always.
“…….the legalization of Cannabis has destroyed any black market in AK…you can’t compete with the low retail prices if you tried to grow on your own………”
Still in denial, I see………..
If an add on to the initiative is brought in that says any crime performed while under the influence automatically doubles the sentence and removes the baseline punishment only leaving max sentence as the amount to double. Applies to ALL drugs, even alcohol…Also adds that government assistance is not payable to drug users since so many employers require drug test with a negative result as part of employment. ill vote yes.
Leftists will always try to loosen restrictions on drugs and other physical forms of enjoyment, while simultaneously trying to restrict the average person from defending themselves.
.
The first is a way for the government to control the population, the second is a way for the population to control the government.
.
This is just another step toward the leftist paradise we see in Venezuela today.
That’s an interesting point and take. This is indigenous-led – they tend to be for both…
I wonder how many commenters are actually Experienced?
It’s hard to know what you are talking about if you don’t KNOW what you are talking about.
Either decriminalize the use and possession or criminalize the use of alcohol. That worked out well the last time it was tried. Oh wait…. Bottom line is we are free or we are not. Stop the hypocrisy and let people be held responsible for their actions.
“……..Either decriminalize the use and possession or criminalize the use of alcohol. That worked out well the last time it was tried………”
It woulda’ worked better had the bootleggers been hung on the spot.
“let people be held responsible for their actions”.
I think you meant ‘held accountable’ but even then your comment makes little sense. The cost of public inebriates is a drag on society and one the inebriate doesn’t shoulder at all. Had you been paying attention you’d have noticed that the Anchorage Assembly has stolen hundreds of millions of dollars and earmarked it for drunks and drug addicts. All the while the problem has gotten worse.
Grow up, get a career instead of a job, buy a home and enter the strata of responsible tax payers within the MOA. Once you’ve accomplished that you may open your pie hole again.
After pot was legalized in Alaska (but it is still flatly illegal under federal law) Alaska’s children now rank at the bottom of the 50 US states for educational performance.
Insurance rates for drivers have gone up. This is due to more screwed up people getting behind the wheel, and causing accidents, and injuring or killing others while under the influence.
Productivity is impaired, as people who show up to work (if they work at all) are not as competent as they would be if they were drug free.
More medical care is required to deal with the problems associated with drug use, to include an increase in cancers. This might be of concern as about one out of three Alaskans are on welfare. Who pays for these welfare toads?
I’m sick of these drug pushers destroying our society. F them.
Marijuana has been decriminalized in Alaska since the 1970s.
……..and Alaska has been stoned ever since……………..and it shows………….
Stop blowing smoke, Larry. Pot use for personal use in small quantities was allowed due to a court ruling in the 70s. This didn’t decriminalize pot as the brain dead initiative passed by Alaska voters a number of years ago.
Again, selling pot, and using it is still illegal under federal law.
How up-to-date are you on the use of psychedelics in clinical settings?
desperate to take Oregons place has America’s dystopia?
Alcohol and THC are one thing, and yes, too much of either carries consequences. However, I’ve witnessed first hand those dosed up on magic shrooms. They’re hallucinogens affect the brain accordingly. Users become crazed, hostile, and very hard to control with the sometimes ensuing “crazy man” strength. This needs far more review.
It’s not for everybody, but alcohol is far more destructive on the individual and anything/one in their environment.
…….As if we aren’t already eyeball deep in psychodelic trouble with substance abuse. Next come the opium dens……………
I think opioids have been fairly well documented as negative for society.
Remember the off duty Alaska Airlines pilot who tried shutting down the engines on a south bound flight as he was hallucinating from the lingering residuals of magic mushrooms? His flashbacks could have cost lives.
Oh my word! Did this originate in Anchorage too? Uh huh. Well, what’s not to like here? It has been said that the best way to defeat an enemy is to take charge of their minds. Does anyone think this was an accident? Hallucinations, not discernment between reality and fantasy? This is not a good thing for our state or our country, but China loves it!
I don’t think anybody’s trying to control anybody but allow you to be deprogrammed and “How to Change Your Mind.” There are mountains of new studies showing how these are a net benefit. To quote Mark Twain, “many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”
Ask former Eagle River Wellness owner Jessica Spayd (now serving 30 years in prison for over-prescribing pain killers) if psychedelics may be right for you.
Micro-dosing (as in a daily maintenance dosage) of shrooms and other psychedelics have become fashionable amongst those that fit into the mentally deficient strata ranging from simple or stupid to full on retard. It’s not hard to see how this may have been a front and center interest for Mr. Dunbar.
The state should require drug testing before handing out welfare. If you’re going to put yourself into a chronic drug-induced stupor, you should at least be responsible for pay for your own living. The citizens of Alaska should not have to subsidize their druggie lifestyle.
Since the police are not enforcing the law against smoking dope in public, marijuana should not be sold in smokable form. It should be consumable only. That way, those of us who are responsible and obey the law won’t have to smell that disgusting odor at every street corner.