OPINION: No on 4, Please!

Life experience teaches that  some people seem to have net-positive experiences with hallucinogens. Many other most certainly do not. (Above, Timothy Leary, the 1960s guru of LSD and hallucinogens).

This message comes from The Coalition for Safe Communities....

Dear Friends,

Tuesday is Election Day, and we need your help – please make sure to vote NO on Question 4! Question 4 that would legalize psychedelics, open for-profit psychedelic centers, and allow for the growth and distribution of homegrown psychedelics throughout the Commonwealth. Read more for why you should vote NO below, and if you can please donate to the campaign by clicking here to make sure we can reach more voters today and tomorrow!

NO on Question 4 is supported by doctors, psychiatrists, veterans, and law enforcement officials

Organizations representing over 60,000 physicians and psychiatrists have endorsed NO on Question 4. This includes the Massachusetts Psychiatric Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians, and the American Psychiatric Association. No on Question 4 has also been endorsed by organizations representing over 3,000 law enforcement officials, and many of their members are military veterans. This includes the State Police Association of Massachusetts and Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.

Question 4 creates a loophole for an unregulated black-market

If passed, this would immediately allow for at-home growth and for the distribution of homegrown psychedelics, creating a massive loophole for an unregulated and unsafe black market. The proposed referendum would allow individuals to grow in a 12-foot by 12-foot area – that is the size of the average bedroom!

Question 4 would exacerbate the rise of DUIs in Massachusetts

In recent years, the number of driver’s license revocations for drugged driving has risen sixty-five percent and fatal DUI crashes increased by over fifty percent statewide. Studies show one in three frequent psychedelic users report having driven under the influence of hallucinogens in the past year.

Question 4 is a danger to children and pets

Drug intoxications of children and pets have also been on the rise nationwide. Edibles made into sweets like cookies and candy are a particular danger to children and pets who mistakenly consume them in extremely high and even toxic levels. Many studies have shown that the psychedelic ibogaine has life-threatening cardiotoxicity and that heart failure can occur several days, in some cases weeks, after taking a single dose even when given in a controlled setting by a medical doctor. Legalizing psychedelics will put more children and pets at risk of accidentally consuming these drugs.

Question 4 would open flawed Psychedelic Centers that will cost taxpayers money

While proponents say the facilities will be licensed, they are not required to be run by medical professionals. The centers are also not prohibited from giving psychedelics to high-risk patients like those with schizophrenia, bipolar illness, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. There is also no ability for towns or cities to ban the centers in their area, even if most residents and their elected officials do not want them there. Proponents claim that fee revenues will cover the costs of running them – but the exact opposite has happened in Oregon. Instead, millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to keep Oregon’s psychedelic centers afloat. If Question 4 is approved, Massachusetts taxpayers will wind up footing the bill because of the same failed promises made by proponents here.

Please make sure you vote NO on Question 4!

Thank you,

Coalition for Safe Communities