West Hollywood’s vision of the future is a brave new world enhanced by mind-altering drug experimentation and medical laissez-faire, where current contraband like psilocybin and LSD are celebrated as solutions for a variety of social and psychiatric problems.
The city held a town hall meeting Tuesday night to discuss the potential benefits of psychedelics in medicine, particularly psilocybin, which is found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. The event, organized by local officials and community leaders, aimed to shed light on the growing interest in psychedelic therapy and explore its potential applications in mental health treatment as the state of California moves to decriminalize possession of them.
As the forum’s host, Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson leaned in to the subject matter enthusiastically, sparking the discussion with thoughtful questions.
The town hall featured a panel of experts, including psychiatrists, lawmakers, and advocates, who shared their insights and experiences with psychedelics:
- Sergeant Terry Blevins: Terry Blevins is a current board member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Action Partnership) and has been actively involved in advocating for cannabis legalization. He has personal experience with using cannabis for pain management and has had psychedelic experiences that expanded his perspective. Blevins has a particular interest in the impact of psychedelics on veterans and first responders who have experienced trauma.
- Dr. Eva Altobelli: Dr. Eva Altobelli is a psychiatrist specializing in psychedelic and addiction psychiatry. She has a fascination with non-ordinary states of consciousness and has a background in the film industry. Altobelli sees the potential for psychedelics to provide a broader perspective on healing and understanding ourselves, relationships, and the world.
- Joshua Kappel: Joshua Kappel is a founding partner of the law firm Vicente, LLP and was involved in drafting Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, which allowed for the use of psychedelics in the state. He has expertise in the legal aspects of psychedelic legislation and has been instrumental in advancing psychedelic reform.
Each offered a different take on decriminalization:
Kappel described the different models of decriminalization, such as the Portugal model, which decriminalizes all drugs but doesn’t legalize them. He emphasized the importance of creating a regulated market where people can buy substances from licensed retailers .
“Maybe not all cops are saying that, but there are a lot of us more and more,” Kappel said. “And I love it. We’re seriously starting to question whether the War on Drugs was a mistake or not. It’s really important that we show leadership in this area. We made a mistake and let’s try to reverse these things.”
Blevins agrees with the distinction between decriminalization and legalization. He highlights the significance of a regulated market in reducing the harms associated with the black market and notes that decriminalization would have a positive impact on law enforcement by redirecting resources and reducing harms like police violence.
Altobelli acknowledged that decriminalization doesn’t change much for medical professionals in terms of prescribing substances. However, she believes that decriminalization allows for a conversation about these tools and can help increase understanding and knowledge about their potential for healing.
What are psychedelics?
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can alter perception, cognition, and mood. Some commonly known psychedelics include:
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
- Psilocybin (found in certain species of mushrooms)
- Ayahuasca (a brew made from plants containing DMT)
- DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
- Mescaline (found in peyote and San Pedro cacti)
- MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) – although it has both psychedelic and stimulant properties
These substances are classified as Schedule I controlled substances in the United States, meaning they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Learning from cannabis
The cannabis industry has experienced significant growth and transformation in recent years, with the legalization and decriminalization in various regions. However, as the industry continues to evolve, the panelists say it is crucial to reflect on past mistakes and ensure that history does not repeat itself for the psychedelic sales and manufacturing sector.
The panel discussion on psychedelics and drug policy shed light on the importance of learning from past mistakes in the cannabis industry. The cannabis industry has faced numerous challenges, including regulatory hurdles, lack of diversity, and inadequate consumer protection.
One of the key lessons from the cannabis industry’s past is the need for effective regulation. In the early stages of cannabis legalization, regulatory frameworks were often inadequate, leading to a range of problems. These included issues such as inconsistent product quality, insufficient testing standards, and inadequate oversight of cultivation and distribution practices. By learning from these regulatory shortcomings, policymakers can develop comprehensive and robust regulations that prioritize consumer safety and product quality.
Another critical aspect that requires attention is the lack of diversity within the cannabis industry. Historically, communities of color have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs, and yet they have faced significant barriers to entry in the legal cannabis market. Altobelli highlighted the need for a multiracial community of therapists and increased access to education and opportunities.
In the past, inadequate testing standards and labeling requirements led to concerns about product safety and transparency. Learning from these mistakes, the industry can implement rigorous testing protocols, accurate labeling, and clear dosage guidelines to safeguard consumer well-being. Additionally, education campaigns can help consumers make informed choices and understand the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use.
Historical atrocities and lack of trust
The panel delved into a crucial issue that has plagued communities of color and other marginalized groups for decades: the lack of trust in the medical community due to historical atrocities and unethical practices.
The conversation touched upon historical atrocities such as the Tuskegee experiment and the unethical testing of LSD on veterans. These events have left a lasting impact on communities, particularly the black community, leading to a justified skepticism towards the medical community. The trauma inflicted by these atrocities has created a barrier between marginalized communities and medical professionals, hindering their access to proper healthcare and treatment.
Another issue raised in the transcript is the lack of diversity in psychedelic trials, particularly in the administration of these trials to predominantly white participants. This lack of representation further exacerbates the mistrust within communities of color, as they feel excluded from the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy . The absence of therapists from diverse backgrounds also contributes to this problem, as patients may feel more comfortable and understood when treated by professionals who share their cultural experiences.
To address these issues, it is crucial to acknowledge the historical atrocities committed and the resulting trauma experienced by marginalized communities. Rebuilding trust requires a commitment from the medical community to acknowledge past mistakes and actively work towards rectifying them. This includes diversifying the field of therapists and researchers involved in psychedelic trials, ensuring representation and cultural sensitivity .
Moreover, efforts should be made to make psychedelic therapy more accessible and affordable. The exorbitant price points associated with treatments like MDMA and ketamine limit access for many individuals, perpetuating healthcare disparities. Advocacy for insurance coverage and the establishment of reasonable rates through CPT codes can help make these treatments more accessible to those who need them.
The panel also pointed to the issue of secondary prohibition, where individuals who have sought healing through psychedelic therapy face potential consequences such as employment discrimination due to mandatory drug testing. To address this, it is essential to create formalized treatment programs that integrate psychedelic therapy into existing protocols for first responders and other professionals. This would provide a safe space for individuals to be treated.
Navigating the future
The conversation shed light on the ongoing discussions surrounding the future of psychedelics, particularly in terms of business models, medicalization, and community access.
The panelists raised an important concern about avoiding the commodification of psychedelics, drawing parallels to the cannabis industry. The desire to build a different type of marketplace, one that is not driven solely by profit and extractive tendencies, is a sentiment shared by many. This calls for the exploration of alternative business models that prioritize community well-being and equitable access to psychedelic experiences.
The discussion also touched upon the idea of medicalization, with panelists emphasizing the importance of intentional use and the involvement of trained providers. While medicalization can offer a structured and regulated approach to psychedelic therapy, there is a recognition that it should not be limited to traditional medical settings. They suggest the creation of multi-disciplinary medical sites that incorporate various healing modalities, acknowledging the mind-body-spirit connection.
One of the significant challenges is the exorbitant price point associated with psychedelic therapies. The panel pointed out the need to advocate for reasonable rates and insurance coverage through the establishment of Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes. This would ensure that these therapies are accessible to a broader range of individuals.
The tension between capitalism and ethical practices was a recurring theme in the discussion. The panelists acknowledge the strong force of capitalism but also emphasizes the importance of creating a different approach to avoid repeating the same commodification seen in the cannabis industry. Striking a balance between profit-driven motives and community well-being is crucial for the sustainable growth of the psychedelic industry.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are like, ‘Hey, we don’t want the same commodification as we saw cannabis and how do we do something differently and how do we build different types of companies or encouraged different types of companies or have like more of a community based marketplace? You know, that doesn’t have the same extractive tendencies as we see in traditional capitalism.’ But then others say well, it will be what it will be. And, you know, capitalism is a strong force and it’s hard to stop the ocean with a surfboard. I don’t know but so like I think it’s still being created in that sense and I will say there are tons of companies out there now that are creating products that I’m sure everyone’s trying that aren’t legal.”
[…] Hall had been hotly anticipating decriminalization. Last summer, the city brought in panelists and consultants for a community forum meant to […]
Based on the comments, it seems nobody listened to or went to the meeting. I listened to the YT version.
Legalizing a substance does not mean that everybody is going to run out and get it/try it/buy it/abuse it/use it.
Sgt Blevins said that there don’t seem to be increased problems -from the cops perspective- in Colorado.
No surprise that minorities are underrepresented in trials, etc.
Unethical Erickson is on the wrong side of most issues. He has hurt the quality of life for the taxpayers of West Hollywood with his selfish and self-serving activities.
West Hollywood did have a vision for a brave new world of experimentation with mind altering substances: it was called the 1970s. While there is a small but growing body of evidence that psilocybin may have some benefit in micro-doses to deal with certain mental health issues such as depression, West Hollywood needs to leave it to the professionals. We bemoan elected officials in Arkansas and Tennessee who are legislating their own half-baked understanding of medical science to the determent of trans youth; West Hollywood does not make itself a more credible advocate taking the lead on mushrooms. This was… Read more »
Good comments, Steve. I have personal experience from the late 60’s and would not do it again. I once read that people who worry a lot should not do drugs.
But – I am fascinated with Portugal’s approach, i.e. decriminalization with help when people are ready to get off the hard stuff. One big benefit would be taking the profit away from the drug trade. The U.S. should look at Portugal. I’m not comfortable with West Hollywood doing this alone. We have a weed shop on every corner. It IS addictive, even if slightly; and it does affect your driving.
Here we go again using people as Ginny pigs! It’s bad enough people driving 10 miles an hour around town on their cell phones then we add in people loaded on weed while they are driving….now shrooms & LSD??? All this will accomplish is make more rational, hard working taxpayers flee out of here because in the end, WE HAVE TO PAY for all of these pet projects & social experimentations on people that should probably be in rehab to try & get their lives in order.
That would be Guinea Pigs………
It’s impossible to take a man wearing pearls seriously.
Texas and Florida are looking much better these days.
West Hollywood makes San Francisco look smart.
Meanwhile, what are city leaders doing about the homeless crisis in our community?
Define the procedure, define the outcome.
Looks bad for the residents.
Once again this is an issue that should be put to a vote by the citizens of West Hollywood.
I can think of another large scale medical The panelists bemoaned the medical system’s trust deficit, pointing to egregious past incidents like the Tuskegee experiments. But let’s not forget the more recent showstopper: a vaccine debacle that made credibility vanish faster than Houdini, leaving a trail of gaslighting and hypocrisy in its wake, with John Erickson taking center stage.
Mr. Erickson, the Court Jester.
Huh? Vaccine debacle ? What? What are you talking about?
Who even knows what these people are complaining about randomly anymore. It’s anything and everything. Nobody listens to them offline. Looking forward to the legal shrooms.
To the unvaccinated: You’ve passed an unimaginable test that many of the toughest marines, commandos, green berets, astronauts, and geniuses couldn’t pass.
You are made of the stuff of the greatest that ever lived, those heroes born among ordinary men who shine in the dark.