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 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-120621-012645 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Repeal The renaissance Law Public administration |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Argues that federal repeal of psychedelic bans is unlikely in the near term, but states provide a pathway for reform, though policy makers may need to sacrifice certain goals to avoid federal backlash. |
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.