Johns Hopkins Medicine receives first federal grant for psychedelic treatment research in 50 years
Combined with preparation and structured support, psilocybin has shown promise for treating a range of addictions and mental health disorders.
Drugs & Entheogens
Psychedelics linked to lower heart disease and diabetes risk in new study
“The findings suggest that lifetime classic psychedelic use is associated with lower odds of having had heart disease or diabetes in the past year,” lead study author and Oxford sociologist Otto Simonsson.
Seattle decriminalizes possession and cultivation of psychedelics
The City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the non-commercial possession and cultivation of many psychedelics for “religious, spiritual, healing, or personal growth practices.”
Los Angeles County is dismissing 60,000 cannabis convictions
The dismissals aim to reverse the racial injustices of drug laws as many of the cases are those of people of color disproportionately incarcerated for drug offenses.
New Jersey automatically expunged 360,000 cannabis cases this summer
Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation into law in 2019 facilitating a process for the review and vacation of the criminal records of those previously convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.
Thailand releases inmates following ‘Kratom’ decriminalization and erases their criminal records
Over 10,000 offenders and inmates are being released from prisons following the legalization of the plant “Kratom” in Thailand. Legally, these prisoners will be considered as having never committed an offense.
Psychedelics company approved for PTSD therapy study using MDMA in Canada
During the study, research, medical, and therapist staff at Numinus will collect data on the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy to inform Health Canada and support making MDMA-assisted therapy available to individuals living with PTSD in Canada.
Mexico’s supreme court decriminalizes recreational use of cannabis
The decisive 8-3 ruling comes after advocates pushed for decriminalization as a means to reduce drug-fueled cartel violence in the country.
Saudi Arabia imposes moratorium on drug-related executions
The state-backed Human Rights Commission said 27 executions were recorded in 2020. That is down from 184 the year before, according to rights watchdog Amnesty International.
New study shows psychedelic mushrooms are as effective as antidepressants
Psilocybin performed about as well as the SSRI escitalopram as a treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, according to a new double-blinded, randomized experiment.