A drug debate continued on Beacon Hill Tuesday with the state Joint Committee on the Judiciary taking public testimony on psychedelic drugs.
Several political leaders and local doctors are looking to decriminalize such drugs just as several proposals now before the committee call for the legalization of natural plants and fungi containing psychedelic compounds.
Supporters of legalization have said some of the substances can be effective at treating issues such as anxiety and depression.
“I think it’s very clear that they offer immense potential benefit for a variety of different conditions,” said Dr. Franklin King of the Mass. General Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics.
“It’s almost impossible to overdose on any psychedelics and it’s biologically impossible to become addicted to them,” King continued. “So, the legal structure that surrounds them is completely inaccurate.”
Pending legislation would allow any person 18 years or older to grow, eat or share psychedelics in Massachusetts.
States including Colorado, Oregon and Washington have already legalized some psychedelic compounds.