New Michigan Bill Would Legalize Psilocybin For People With PTSD

Michigan Democratic lawmakers havw introduced legislation that would exempt
adults with PTSD from state laws against the possession, cultivation and
use of psilocybin and psilocin, the two primary active components of
psychedelic mushrooms.

If approved, HB 4686, from Rep. Mike McFall and six cosponsors, would
effectively legalize the personal use and cultivation of the psychedelic
substances by people with the diagnosis. The two-page bill would not create
a regulated psychedelics system or change the legal status of the drugs
more broadly.

McFall held a press conference on Wednesday about the measure, saying it
“will help protect those suffering from PTSD so they can use their medicine
without fear of the unnecessary legal risks that veterans seeking this
treatment currently must navigate.”

“Our understanding of medicine is constantly evolving, and there has been a
shift in treating PTSD with psychedelics over the last decade,” he said.
“Preliminary research is promising that psilocybin has potentially
life-changing effects for extended periods of time after treatment.”

Appearing with McFall was Michael G. Smith Jr., a retired U.S. Army
sergeant who said he’d “had more success in the mitigation of my PTSD
symptoms with microdosing psilocybin than all the talk therapy offered by
the VA Healthcare System,” adding that he’d tried “all their therapies
available” at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“As a veteran with PTSD, I am encouraged by the legislative efforts to
decriminalize psilocybin since it has been clinically proven to mitigate
and eliminate the symptomatology related to PTSD,” Smith said. “This is
important considering the vast field of studies over 25 years that identify
that PTSD can lead to coronary vascular diseases, atrial fibrillation and
atrial flutter, which means there is an awesome opportunity to prevent
veterans from developing life threatening heart conditions with the
treatment of psilocyn.”

A press release from McFall notes that VA “has started research on
veterans and treating their PTSD with psychedelics, including psilocybin,”
and, citing the advocacy group Heroic Hearts Project, says that 80 percent
of veterans experienced improvements in PTSD symptoms after a single
psilocybin session.

The bill was officially introduced on Wednesday and has been referred to
the House Committee on Families and Veterans.

Last year, Michigan lawmakers sent a letter to Congress, the U.S.
Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging them
to prioritize research and investment in psychedelics and other
“non-technology treatment options” to address psychological trauma from
military service.

Several cities in Michigan have enacted local psychedelics
decriminalization policies.

Separately in Michigan, a *second* Bigfoot and marijuana news story
recently broke in the state during the span of a single month.

Previously, an alleged Bigfoot sighting in Monroe County last month sparked
some creativity within the marijuana community when, earlier this month,
the dispensary Uniq Cannabis started offering a free pre-roll to anyone who
brought in photographic proof of the mythological creature.

More recently, a Sasquatch statue outside the separate retailer Higher
Love, located in Menominee, is at the center of controversy. The exhibit
became a talking point at the city planning commission’s meeting this
month, where certain community members argued that the faux beast could
attract the attention of youth—with one resident advising the panel to
“think about what mascots they see in our community and how they are
impacting children.”

Meanwhile, state officials earlier this year announced that the disbursement
of nearly $100 million in marijuana tax revenue to over 300 cities and
tribes across the state thanks to the state’s adult-use legalization law.
That’s part of the overall $331 million in tax dollars Michigan is
distributing across various initiatives.

The tax dollars will support various local infrastructure, education and
other needed services, the state Treasury Department said.

GOP Congressman Behind Hemp THC Ban Says He’s Not Worried About Potential
Senate Opposition To The Proposal

*Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Mushroom Observer.*

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