**Why it matters:** The California Assembly Health Committee has approved a bill that would legalize the possession and facilitated use of certain psychedelics. This is a significant development for advocates who believe that these substances have potential therapeutic benefits for mental health and addiction challenges. The bill still needs to pass the Appropriations Committee before it can move to the floor for consideration.
**What they are saying:** Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the bill, highlighted the promising research on psychedelics and their potential to help people with mental health and addiction issues. He emphasized that this research was halted by the war on drugs but has been restarted and shows great promise.
**The big picture:** There is growing momentum behind psychedelics reform across the country, with several states working to explore the therapeutic potential of these substances. California’s bill is a more focused version of a previous proposal, excluding synthetic psychedelics and addressing concerns about over-harvesting. The approval of this bill by the Assembly Health Committee signals progress in the effort to decriminalize and regulate certain psychedelics in California.
**What to watch:** The bill must now go through the Appropriations Committee before it can move to the Assembly floor for a vote. It will be important to monitor the progress and potential amendments to the bill as it moves through the California legislature.
**My take:** The approval of this bill by the Assembly Health Committee is a
