Alliance for Safer Use of Psychedelics

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<h2>Public Health Education</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/9ffd7b8d-0df9-4bb8-9370-39b2fdc20c5d/8051c3fd-e830-4a42-abd1-973226443f0b/8051c3fd-e830-4a42-abd1-973226443f0b.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C6834%2C4556&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="47" variant="framed"><h4>Media in recent years has focused on the potential benefits of psychedelics, and rarely on potential harms, adverse events, or safety practices.</h4>Recent public discourse on psychedelics—including news stories, social media conversations, and policy messaging—often falls short, lacking either scientific rigor or nuanced communication. To fill this gap, the Alliance is working to build a campaign that fosters informed decision-making — including whether or not to use psychedelics — by presenting a complete story: the potential benefits alongside the potential risks and essential safety measures to mitigate those risks.Regardless of psychedelics’ legal status, many people are and will continue seeking out these substances in unregulated settings. Some individuals may seek out psychedelics because they are struggling with their mental or emotional health — others are simply curious but not well-informed. Through public health education, we aim to cultivate a more balanced, realistic and nuanced understanding among the interested public to help people make well-informed personal choices that lead to safer and responsible use, aiming to optimize potential benefits and mitigate potential risks. We also aim to raise awareness of research and resources to help people who experience psychedelic-related adverse events. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce harms, with a focus on those potentially most at risk: young adults considering or already taking psychedelics, people struggling with mental or emotional health who are seeking healing and considering self-medicating, and people naïve to psychedelics who are unfamiliar with safety practices.

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<h2>A Responsible Policy to Promote Safer Use</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/9ffd7b8d-0df9-4bb8-9370-39b2fdc20c5d/8d6cec43-8ed2-457f-b67e-24c2cf934cfc/8d6cec43-8ed2-457f-b67e-24c2cf934cfc.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=2&amp;con=8&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=518%2C0%2C3333%2C2488&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="50" variant="framed"><h4>Governor Gavin Newsom has called on California to be a leader on responsible psychedelic policy. In 2023, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SB-58-Veto-1.pdf">he asked lawmakers</a> to develop legislation that includes guardrails and safety measures.</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB1012">Senate Bill 1012</a>, bipartisan legislation introduced in February 2024 by Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Marie Waldron,&nbsp; is a direct response to Governor Newsom's request. The bill aims to enable safer access for people who can be helped by psychedelics while educating the public about potential risks and promoting safer practices. SB 1012 would:</h4><ul><li>Authorize an expert oversight committee appointed by the governor to direct the board and agencies described below.</li><li>Establish a professional licensing board for psychedelic facilitators to develop rigorous training programs, ethical standards, scope of practice guidelines, and regulatory oversight;</li><li>Develop regulations for the production, laboratory testing, and tracking of psychedelic substances administered under the supervision of psychedelic facilitators;</li><li>Require individuals to complete a safety screening and health assessment to determine if proceeding with psychedelic facilitation services is appropriate;</li><li>Mandate psychedelic facilitators to follow up with clients, report any adverse events, and provide ongoing integration support;</li><li>Create a public-private fund administered by state to support public health education related to psychedelics;</li><li>Enable the collection of de-identified public health data on psychedelics and their usage to guide researchers and policymakers to improve outcomes;</li><li>Establish a system for individuals and health care providers to file complaints against psychedelic facilitators for unethical conduct and report serious adverse events;</li><li>Direct regulators to promote equity and ensure services are accessible to low-income and disadvantaged individuals.</li></ul>SB 1012 will not:<ul><li>Decriminalize psychedelics for personal use;</li><li>Allow the retail sales of psychedelics.</li></ul>Psychedelics are powerful substances, and we want to encourage people to be informed and use them responsibly in settings with proper support, preparation, and safeguards.This legislation seeks to secure access to the benefits of psychedelics for Californians while mitigating risks by requiring trained psychedelic facilitators and care recipients to collaborate to maximize safety. SB 1012 also creates a first-in-the-nation public-private fund to support a public education program to help individuals make informed decisions about whether to use psychedelics, how to reduce risks, and how to access support if needed.

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<h3>Guided by science, compassion, and a concern for public health, the Alliance supports public health education and responsible policies that promote psychedelic safety.</h3>

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The Alliance for Safer Use&nbsp;of Psychedelics supports public education and policies focused on psychedelic safety and responsible use. Rather than glorify or demonize psychedelics, we promote balanced discussions and evidence-based solutions that reduce harms and increase positive outcomes.We're building a coalition of experts, stakeholders, and community organizations to make California a national leader on psychedelic safety and education.

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Recent News &amp; Updates

Under the pending legislation, anyone hoping to be licensed to supervise people using psychedelics will need a professional health credential.Some first responder and veterans groups are among legalization’s biggest boosters, and there is significant public support. A survey out of the University of California at Berkeley last year showed 61 percent of registered voters in the United States support regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics — though nearly half of those respondents said such drugs were not “good for society.”

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The psychedelics-as-medicine movement spreads to California

SACRAMENTO - Today marks the launch of the Alliance for Safer Use of Psychedelics (ASUP), a new coalition supporting facilitated access and public education for psychedelics in California. This first-of-its-kind coalition brings together researchers, health care providers, educators, Veterans, first responders, mental health advocates, and safety experts committed to creating thoughtfully-regulated pathways for the supported use of psychedelics and promoting public education about the risks and benefits of psychedelics, responsible use, and how to access support. The Alliance supports Senate Bill 1012, bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year by Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Marie Waldron, which creates a program for facilitated access to psychedelics with direction from an expert oversight committee composed of mental health professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders. The bill also establishes a public-private fund within the state government to support public health education to provide evidence-based information about the risks and benefits of psychedelics and promote safer use. The Alliance will support any future initiatives aligned with its safety-first approach.&nbsp; Consistent with its broader mission, the Alliance is also backing an effort led by the Coalition for Psychedelic Safety and Education (CPSE) to launch a targeted public health education pilot campaign to provide accurate, evidence-based, and balanced information that acknowledges the potential benefits of psychedelics, while educating people on potential risks, harms, and safety practices to increase well-informed, safer decision-making related to their use. Project leaders have solicited proposals from communications firms and raised nearly half a million dollars to support this public education pilot program. Several researchers and public health experts are providing input and guidance. The Alliance hopes that by demonstrating success with the pilot campaign this year, California policymakers will support future investment of state funding to scale up a public education program statewide. The Coalition for Psychedelic Safety and Education (CPSE) is a key member of the ASUP coalition. Its leaders have tragically lost loved ones to adverse events related to psychedelics and advocate for a safer, regulated approach to psychedelics that includes public education. The group advocated for safeguard amendments – like regulated-access, education, training and public health data collection – in last year’s bill to decriminalize certain psychedelics, but ultimately opposed the bill due to its decriminalization priorities. Now CPSE is working closely with the Alliance to support SB 1012 because of its focus on regulated access and provisions to raise funds to educate Californians about the risks and benefits associated with psychedelics.&nbsp; “With its emphasis on public health education and professional oversight, SB 1012 paves the way for informed and responsible psychedelic use in California. Without safety nets and robust education to inform of risks, the unregulated use of psychedelics is rising in the state and causing an increase in hospitalizations due to adverse effects. CPSE is joining the Alliance because together we seek to prevent more people from experiencing loss as a result of unsafe practices and offer an alternative to those seeking support through regulated access” said Susan Sagy, Executive Director of CPSE who lost a child to an adverse reaction to the use of psilocybin.&nbsp; Other prominent members of the Alliance include Veterans’ organizations, Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) and VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions), both of which support and advocate for Veterans experiencing mental health challenges after returning from active duty. Psychedelics have shown promise in helping people with PTSD and other conditions that impact Veterans and their families. These groups help connect Veterans to facilitated psychedelic care outside of the United States and in states where it is currently legal. Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), a non-profit organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, corrections officials, and other law enforcement officials, is also part of the Alliance. HHP, VETS, and LEAP are co-sponsors of SB 1012.&nbsp; New Approach Advocacy Fund, which has spearheaded several state campaigns, including the successful ballot initiatives in Oregon (2020) and Colorado (2022) to expand access to psychedelics, is helping drive this effort. Leading psychedelic researchers, including Dr. Brian Anderson and Dr. Jennifer Mitchell from UCSF, are also working with the Alliance in an advisory capacity.&nbsp; Kristin Nash, MPH, is a public health expert, harm reduction advocate, and one of the members of CPSE. She also started the William G. Nash Foundation to honor the life and legacy of her son who died in an accident after taking psilocybin four years ago. "This Alliance and the work it is supporting—particularly around public health education—are urgently needed," Nash said. "Scientific research, media coverage, and policy reform efforts are driving increased interest and use of psychedelic substances. But our understanding of risks is limited, and what we know has been poorly communicated to the public, if at all. We need a more balanced, realistic, and nuanced understanding of psychedelics among the interested public. I'm glad to be part of this effort and strongly support the mission to promote safer practices, aiming to optimize benefits and mitigate risks." “Heroic Hearts is proud to be part of the Alliance,” said Heroic Hearts Project Founder Jesse Gould. “Right now, in California, veterans are struggling to access the care and support they need after returning from active duty. Our vets shouldn’t have to leave the state or the country to receive facilitated access to psychedelics that can help them deal with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Alliance’s work will be crucial in making sure this access comes to California and veterans can get the help they need.” "As a retired police lieutenant, I've seen how PTSD and other mental health issues can impact first responders – people who've given years of their lives to serve our communities and make them safer,” said Lieutenant Diane Goldstein, Executive Director of LEAP. “Psychedelics, when taken in a facilitated setting, are an incredibly promising option to support people who are living with PTSD, but we need to make sure they are doing so safely. We're happy to be part of this new Alliance to make facilitated access to psychedelics and education about these substances a reality in California for those who need it most." "At VETS, we've seen firsthand the tremendous potential of psychedelic therapies to help veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war, like PTSD, depression and anxiety," said Amber Capone, founder and executive director of VETS. "However, these treatments must be done safely and responsibly, with proper facilitation, screening, and education. That's why we're proud to join the Alliance in supporting California's efforts to expand regulated access while prioritizing public health. Our veterans deserve the best possible care, and we believe this thoughtful approach is the right path forward.”###

This first-of-its-kind coalition brings together researchers, health care providers, educators, Veterans, first responders, mental health advocates, and safety experts committed to creating thoughtfully-regulated pathways for the supported use of psychedelics and promoting public education about the risks and benefits of psychedelics, responsible use, and how to access support.

Introducing the Alliance for Safer Use of Psychedelics (ASUP): A New Coalition Supporting Facilitated Access and Public Education for Psychedelics in California

Former Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron and San Francisco Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener may not have a lot in common, but they’ve formed an unlikely alliance over psychedelic drugs.Waldron has appeared twice beside Wiener in recent weeks. Most recently, they addressed reporters at a press conference to announce a new bill they coauthored that would allow adults 21 and older to use psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, DMT and mescaline under the supervision of a licensed and trained facilitator.&nbsp;

How psychedelic drug therapy became a rare bipartisan issue in California

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Newsom asked for a bill to legalize psychedelic therapy. Lawmakers move to give him one

The new bill that’s now being unveiled would provide regulated access to psychedelics in a facilitated setting, without removing criminal penalties for possession outside of that context. It does not lay out any specific qualifying medical conditions that a person must have in order to access the services.

Bipartisan California Lawmakers File Bill To Legalize Psychedelic Services

Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, and Assemblymember Marie Waldron, a San Diego Republican, are carrying a bill that would legalize psychedelic therapy. It would allow adults 21 and older to use the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, DMT and mescaline in a controlled setting and under the supervision of a licensed and trained facilitator.

California Considers Legalizing Psychedelic Therapy to Treat Mental Illnesses

After a failed attempt to decriminalize a short list of psychedelics last year, state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation to make California the third state to legalize psychedelic-assisted therapy for adults. Gov. Gavin Newsom in October vetoed a similar bill, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SB-58-Veto-1.pdf">urging state lawmakers</a> to first take steps toward creating regulated treatment guidelines before attempting to decriminalize possession of these drugs.

With a nudge from Newsom, a new bill aims to legalize psychedelic-assisted therapy in California

State Sen. Scott Wiener will make a third attempt to legalize the use of psilocybin, colloquially known as magic mushrooms, in California&nbsp;— but this time with a much narrower proposal. Unlike his effort to decriminalize mushrooms last year, he thinks his new plan will survive Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto.&nbsp;

New California bill would legalize magic mushrooms - but only in one setting

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, is back this year with another bill to decriminalize the use of certain psychedelic drugs. However, Wiener is going a different route than he did with last year’s SB 58, which Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed.

San Francisco Democrat brings back bill to decriminalize psychedelic drugs, with changes

A state lawmaker whose bill to decriminalize psychedelics was vetoed last year is back with a new proposal that reaches across party lines and advocates for their medicinal use. What happened: Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener and Republican Assemblymember Marie Waldron announced a bipartisan bill that would give people 21 and over access to psychedelic substances under the supervision of licensed and trained facilitators.

California’s fungi frontier: Lawmakers take a ‘magic’ leap

Jim Carroccio was desperate. After decades of cognitive therapy, his struggles with PTSD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder were as acute and debilitating as ever. So it was time to take a trip. Literally and figuratively. The literal trip came when Carroccio and his wife drove from their Arizona home to Bend, Oregon so Jim could undergo psilocybin therapy.

Will California follow Oregon’s ‘strategic’ approach to psychedelics?

“We know that Californians are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges, and we know that psychedelics, particularly when combined with therapeutic support, can be a powerful tool to help people get their health back,” Wiener said at a Monday news briefing. “We know that California veterans and first responders have particularly benefited from these substances, and we know that many more people can as well.”

Escondido Assemblymember Waldron introduces bill to legalize supervised ‘magic mushroom’ therapy

Can we find a middle lane&nbsp;as we consider legalizing psychedelics? A bill to decriminalize five psychedelics is progressing through the California Legislature. The substances are considered a lifeline by some. But what about the risks? A Bay Area 21-year-old died recently after taking psilocybin. It was purchased in Oakland where psychedelics are decriminalized. No instructions given.

Opinion: California must find middle lane on legalizing psychedelics

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Psychedelics are powerful substances. Responsible use involves education, preparation, and integration. People who use psychedelics can reduce risks and increase the likelihood of a positive experience by taking precautions before, during, and after ingesting the substance. Working with a trusted and experienced psychedelic facilitator can make the experience safer.

Psychedelics aren't for everyone. People with a personal or family history of psychosis and some other mental health issues are at increased risk for adverse events. Combining psychedelics with certain medications (such as lithium) also increases risks.

People who are considering using psychedelics should educate themselves on safety practices. The Fireside Project, which provides peer support services and provides education to minimize the risks of psychedelic experiences, offers <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://firesideproject.org/">a simple set of 10 guidelines</a> for anyone thinking about using psychedelics.

If enacted, SB 1012 will create a framework for safety-focused psychedelic services under the care of a trained, licensed facilitator. The bill creates a regulated program, developed with guidance from experts, that establishes a set of guardrails and system of accountability to enable safer psychedelic experiences. Specifically bill outlines procedures for receiving psychedelic facilitation services that involves education, safety screening, informed consent, preparation and safety planning, supervised administration, and post-experience follow up support and integration.

What does safer use of psychedelics look like?

Promising scientific research, media coverage and policy reform efforts have driven increased interest and use of psychedelic substances. Risks are under-researched and poorly communicated to the public. There is a growing urgent need for a more balanced, realistic and nuanced understanding of psychedelics among the interested public. People should be able to make well-informed choices about whether psychedelics are right for them. This will lead to safer use practices that optimize benefits and mitigate risks.

People need to know that factors like set and setting, including underlying conditions – such as a family history of certain mental health disorders – can put a person at risk for a serious adverse outcome. They need to know that there are research gaps and things we don’t yet fully understand about risk and adverse events.&nbsp;

Public health education campaigns have successfully shifted public perception about many life-saving behaviors. Examples include campaigns to promote safer sex practices, wearing seatbelts and helmets, and designated drivers.

Why is public health education for psychedelics important?

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.kff.org/statedata/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/california/">One in three </a>Californians is experiencing a mental health challenge. Many are becoming aware that emerging scientific research—including studies at California’s top universities—point to psychedelics as a tool to alleviate mental and emotional distress that may be more effective than other options. A growing body of credible evidence shows that psychedelics, when used in safe settings with intentional preparation and proper support, can help people struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Psychedelic substances are by no means a panacea for mental health issues, and in some cases, they can have harmful effects on individuals’ mental health. People taking lithium, antidepressants, and other psychotropic medications as well as individuals with a history of certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia&nbsp;should exercise extreme caution or not use psychedelics at all.

What is the link between psychedelics and mental health?

This legislation creates a board to regulate and license facilitators who provide psychedelics in a controlled, supervised setting for adults over 21. With direction from an expert oversight committee, the board will ensure facilitators meet ethical standards, receive proper training, and support the health and safety of participants, including referring individuals to other trained professionals who can provide appropriate care. Prior to receiving services, participants will undergo a health and safety screening process. Substances will be produced and tested by licensed entities – in controlled settings, promoting safety and accountability. Right now many Californians are seeking psychedelics abroad or from underground sources. By establishing a regulated program for the supported, facilitated use of psychedelics, SB 1012 aims to enable equitable and safer access to psychedelic services within the state. This bill does not allow for retail sales or use without the involvement and supervision of a trained, licensed psychedelic facilitator. SB 1012 does not decriminalize psychedelics.

What safety measures are included SB 1012?

SB 1012 will not create or allow storefronts or a marketplace to buy psychedelics. This bill only permits the sale of psychedelics in the context of facilitated use at an approved location and supervised by a trained and licensed psychedelic facilitator. This program represents an entirely different model than Prop 64, which legalized the retail sale of cannabis in 2016. Under SB 1012, selling or distributing these substances for any recreational use remains illegal. Only people who have been rigorously screened by trained and licensed mental health professionals will be able to access psychedelics, and only in a facilitated setting for mental health purposes with extensive follow-up required.

Does the legislation create a marketplace or storefronts for psychedelics, similar to cannabis?

Working with public health experts and researchers, we will continue to develop improved bill language to enable the development of a robust system for monitoring and evaluating outcomes of the program. It is critical that we learn how to best deliver care, minimize the risk of serious adverse outcomes, and maintain a system of accountability to prevent misconduct and unethical behavior by facilitators. All data will be deidentified to ensure that individuals’ privacy and confidentiality is protected.

How will you track the program and protect client privacy?

Yes, SB 1012 directs the psychedelic facilitator board to issue regulations for both individual and group facilitation.

Will therapeutic access be permitted in group settings?

SB 1012 includes an explicit affirmation and intent to “Respect and support indigenous cultures, traditions, and uses of psychedelic substances and not affect rights or undermine any protected status, or practice under other laws related to indigenous uses of psychedelic substances, or affect churches operating pursuant to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.”

How will the bill impact the religious use of psychedelics?

SB 1012 is very different from ballot measures that have been proposed. Some recent proposals decriminalize psychedelics or permit the retail sale of psychedelics. This policy does neither.

How is SB 1012 similar or different from psychedelic ballot initiatives proposed?

FDA approval for most psychedelics is years away, and many Californians are already seeking out these substances abroad or in the underground. We need a safe, therapeutic framework to provide support and encourage responsible use sooner to promote safer practices. Furthermore, SB 1012 will spur innovation in facilitator training, general expertise, and workforce development to better prepare California if psychedelics are eventually approved by the FDA. State-regulated therapeutic access also enables greater flexibility in some areas, including for therapeutic access in group or couples settings.

Why is therapeutic access needed if the FDA will approve psychedelics for medical use?

Like many other professional boards, licensing fees from the program will support regulatory costs and oversight functions. Initially, there will likely need to be a modest investment from the state, and we’re committed to working with the governor and other state leaders to develop the most streamlined approach. Ultimately this is worth doing because public interest and the use of psychedelics in unregulated contexts is only going to increase in the future. It’s time for us to now begin a process of creating a safer, regulated environment and supporting public health education.

How will the SB 1012 program be paid for?

FDA approval for most psychedelics is years away, and many Californians are already seeking out these substances abroad or in the underground. We need a safe, regulated framework to provide support and encourage responsible use sooner to promote safer practices. Furthermore, SB 1012 will spur innovation in facilitator training, general expertise, and workforce development to better prepare California if psychedelics are eventually approved by the FDA. State-regulated access also enables greater flexibility in some areas, including for facilitated access in group or couples settings.

Resources

Psychedelic Therapy

Resources to Learn More

Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

Fireside Project

Ecstatic Integration

Medical Contraindications to “Classic” Psychedelic Use (UC San Francisco)

Psychedelic Science at Cornell

Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions

Heroic Hearts Project

Psychedelic Safety Institute