California advances decriminalizing psychedelic substances
(Photo credit: Evert-Jan Daniels/AFP via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California has moved another step closer to decriminalizing psychedelics amid a debate over whether their prohibition is an outdated remnant of the War on Drugs.
The bill advanced from a committee Tuesday after the author removed a substance from the bill that opponents said can be used as a date-rape drug.
It would allow those 21 and older to possess for personal use and social sharing seven drugs including LSD, mescaline and the hallucinogenic component of so-called magic mushrooms.
Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener said the drugs are transforming lives. But he amended his bill to remove the potential date-rape drug ketamine from the list.