Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll: Here's What's Next

California is moving forward with the processes of legalizing more controlled substances. With the Legalization of Cannabis, a process that began way back in 1996, a new industry has started to thrive. And, with this new industry there are new challenges and legal hurdles that still must be worked out.

But there is a bigger trend on the horizon of legalizing even more drugs. Oregon, for instance, just legalized almost all hard drugs, including heroin. The District of Columbia did the same as many other states decriminalized Cannabis. Now California is setting its sights on recreational Mushroom use.

Mushrooms, or psilocybin, “are chemical compounds obtained from certain types of dried or fresh hallucinogenic mushrooms found in Mexico, South America and the southern and northwest regions of the United States. Psilocybin is classified as an indole-alkylamine (tryptamine). These compounds have similar structure to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and are abused for their hallucinogenic and euphoric effects to produce a "trip". Hallucinogenic (psychedelic) effects are probably due to action on central nervous system serotonin (5-HT) receptors.” -Drugs.com

There are many studies that report the drug is effective in treating depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. The drug does a sort of “brain reset” that has a lasting effect on people.

Other hallucinogens are also being decriminalized, including LSD and DMT. The logic is that the “War on Drugs” has become completely ineffective and that a segment of the population, some severely addicted to some of these substances, are unnecessarily criminalized.

This decriminalization does bring with it another category of business, whether medical or recreational, and it also brings along new legal challenges. Attorneys at PERLEBERG MCLAREN LLP have been working with Cannabis clients since (and before) the beginning of legalization in California. We understand the challenges and hurdles of this new arena. Please reach out to us with your questions and follow our blog for new updates as the California Legislator pushes into the next frontier, and other topics that span our experience ranging from the technical to the recreational, as well as state-to-state updates.

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Greg Perleberg

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PERLEBERG MCCLAREN LLP

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