Policy
Rhode Island became the 19th state in the U.S. to legalize the possession, use, cultivation, and purchase of cannabis by adults 21 and older. Several additional states will decide whether to legalize cannabis in November.
Voters in Austin, Texas approved a ballot measure that will decriminalize misdemeanor cannabis possession in the city. The measure will also prohibit police from issuing citations for residue or paraphernalia in place of a possession charge.
The governor of Connecticut signed a budget bill that included a part that will allow the state to provide selected patients access to psychedelic treatments. The bill will create psychedelic treatment centers where patients can receive psychedelic therapy under an expanded access program through the FDA.
Industry
Field Trip Health Ltd. announced that it will be separating into two independent publicly-traded companies. Once the transaction is completed, the two companies will be named Reunion Neuroscience Inc. and Field Trip Health and Wellness Ltd.
Research
More studies found benefits from using psychedelics, including the largest-ever trial testing LSD for anxiety, a significant reduction in symptoms of depression after using psilocybin, and some promising data showing that psilocybin may also be capable of treating anorexia.
Harm Reduction
DanceSafe released updated guidance for safely checking drugs. The new instructions are included with every reagent drug testing kit that the company sells and they are also accessible online via PDFs. This harm reduction information may go a long way toward keeping drug users safe, including the real possibility of saving lives.
Miscellaneous
Several psychedelic activists were arrested at the DEA headquarters during a protest over psilocybin access for terminal patients. The event called attention to the administration’s obstruction of Right to Try statutes at the federal and state level that could allow for the legal use of psychedelics.
A new report showed a large surge of microdosing that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, nearly 50% of the survey respondents said they began microdosing because of the pandemic.
Additional Top Stories
Elon Musk advocates for psychedelic drug use as alternative to antidepressants (MARCA)
Senator’s Wife Secretly Gave Him Psilocybin to Alleviate Depression (Psychedelic Spotlight)
The Trials of Rick Doblin (The Cut)
Psychedelic Patents are Broken Because the Patent System Is Broken (VICE)
Behind the Scenes on the First Study To Compare the Effects of LSD and Psilocybin (Technology Networks)
That’s all for this month’s update. Remember to always test and weigh your drugs and until next time—keep thinking wilder.
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