The Case for Decriminalizing Psychedelics Nationally

Interest in psychedelics has increased these last few years, mainly as a result of numerous studies that have found that the substances possess a range of medical benefits. The decriminalization of psychedelics is also said to benefit society at large, with improvements being seen in public health and wellness. This is backed by findings from a survey done in Portugal, which found a drop in drug-related adverse outcomes and no reported rise in drug use.

Portugal decriminalized the private and public use, possession and acquisition of all drugs in 2000 in an effort to reorient policy towards a health-led approach.

Below, we look at some major advantages of psychedelic decriminalization.

Safer Drug Access

Decriminalization starts by reducing incarceration spending, eliminating penalization of individuals for nonviolent crimes and offering more financial support to develop tools and resources that help keep people safer and healthier. Harm-reduction strategies such as safe drug access, needle exchanges and monitored injection sites also reduce drug-related adverse outcomes greatly.

By providing safe access to drugs in a legal context, individuals are able to educate themselves on the effects of these drugs with the help of health-care professionals, to ensure they remain safe.

This means that decriminalization will help minimize or possibly prevent people from losing their lives due to drug-related adverse outcomes.

Treating Substance-Use-Disorder Patients

As of 2019, more than 2% of the total population worldwide was affected by substance-use disorder. The disorder is a mental health condition that affects an individual’s behavior and brain, making it hard for them to control their use of substances such as drugs, alcohol or medications.

Psychedelics have shown promise in treating this challenging disorder, and while further studies are required, both psilocybin and LSD have demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment of substance use disorder.

Successful treatments will not only reduce the number of lives lost from overdoses but also reduce the impact the condition has on the economy and public health. Additionally, decriminalization will allow healthcare professionals to care for their patients without having to report their condition as a crime.

Increased Research into Medical Applications

Decriminalization of psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD will remove barriers inhibiting further research into the potential medical applications of these drugs. Increased access to these substances will improve researchers’ understanding of how the drugs work.

Additionally, it will improve access to psychedelic therapy for patients in need while also providing alternative treatment options for individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression who haven’t been successful with conventional treatments.

Given the progress that startups such as Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ) are making as they advance their psychedelic drug-development programs, it may not be long before these treatments are available to patients who need them.

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