A growing number of cities in Oregon have banned the use of psychedelic mushrooms, despite the state becoming the first in the country to legalize therapeutic use of the drug. Four cities added new voter-approved bans for psilocybin, the compound found in such mushrooms, in the Nov. 5 election.
A dozen other communities that approved two-year prohibitions in 2022 voted in this election to make those restrictions permanent.
Psilocybin is still accessible in over 30 licensed centers including in some of Oregon’s largest cities, like Portland, and a handful of small towns. Some rural counties also voted to stay in the program.
Supporters say psychedelics can help people struggling with anxiety, depression and PTSD. Critics say the substances can be dangerous to certain people including those with schizophrenia.
Psychedelic researchers think the recent decisions by voters may be a sign that a majority of people are favoring “law and order” when it comes to drug policies.
“Oregon, specifically, has been touted as an example of liberal drug policies gone wrong,” Josh Hardman, the founder of Psychedelics Alpha told The Associated Press.
In 2020, around 56% of Oregon voters approved a measure allowing therapeutic use of psilocybin at licensed facilities for those over 21. But the measure let other counties and cities vote to opt out, resulting in the differing regulations across the state.
