Observations on 25 Years of Cannabis Law Reforms and Their Implications for the Psychedelic Renaissance in the United States
Annual Review of Law and Social Science – April 28, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A psychedelic renaissance is emerging, but lessons from 25 years of Cannabis law reform are crucial for policymakers. Federal repeal of psychedelic bans appears unlikely soon, yet states offer a path for reform. Political science and Public administration insights suggest navigating federal crackdowns might require sacrificing some policy goals. Until public opinion fully embraces broader changes, narrower reforms are probable. Diverse academic research themes, including Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, highlight the need to address supply chain questions for legalized psychedelics.
Abstract
Interest in psychedelics is booming, heralding a possible psychedelic renaissance in the United States. But policy makers interested in expanding access to psychedelic substances would be wise to heed lessons gleaned from the past 25 years of marijuana law reforms. That experience suggests that it may prove impossible to repeal or narrow the federal ban on psychedelics in the near term, but that states provide an alternative pathway to reform. Still, to blunt the risk of a federal crackdown, policy makers may need to sacrifice certain policy goals. Furthermore, until the public warms to a broader psychedelic renaissance, policy makers may pursue narrow reforms. Policy makers will also need to address thorny questions over how psychedelics will be supplied once legalized.