John Miller
In November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have allowed individuals over the age of 21 to use, grow, and possess limited quantities of certain psychedelic substances, including psilocybin mushrooms, under licensed supervision. This decision maintained the status quo in Massachusetts, where several communities, including Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville, had already decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms, while the substance remained illegal at the state level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What | Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms |
| Where | In the US, Denver, Colorado was the first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in May 2019. In Massachusetts, cities like Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville have decriminalized possession. |
| When | November 2024: Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have legalized the possession and personal cultivation of certain naturally occurring psychedelics for people over the age of 21. |
| Who | The initiative did not legalize mushrooms but prohibited Denver from spending resources to prosecute people for their use or possession. The law would have applied to adults over the age of 21. |
| Why | Magic mushrooms have long been associated with spiritual experiences and self-discovery. Proponents of decriminalization argue that mushrooms can be used to treat conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction. |
| How | Through ballot initiatives and city council votes. |
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What You'll Learn
- In 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have allowed the use of psychedelics for those over 21
- The above law would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of psychedelics in their homes
- Despite the rejection, several Massachusetts communities have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms
- Cities like Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville have all decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms
- If passed, Massachusetts Question 4 would allow individuals to possess or use a personal amount of specified psychedelic substances
In 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have allowed the use of psychedelics for those over 21
The rejection of the law meant that the use, possession, and cultivation of these substances remained illegal in Massachusetts. However, it is important to note that prior to the vote, several communities within Massachusetts had already taken steps to effectively decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, including the cities of Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville. These local efforts were in line with a broader trend across the United States, with cities like Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, leading the way in decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms.
The proposed law in Massachusetts aimed to build upon these local efforts by creating a comprehensive regulatory framework at the state level. It would have established a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and a Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board to oversee licensing, training, and safety requirements. Additionally, it would have implemented a 15% excise tax on these substances, with property owners retaining the right to prohibit their use, cultivation, or sale on their premises.
The vote on the law was closely contested, with polls showing a near-even split between supporters and opponents of the measure. Despite the rejection of Question 4, the broader movement to decriminalize and legalize psychedelics in Massachusetts and beyond has continued to gain momentum. Since the start of the 2025 legislative session, more than 36 psychedelics-related bills have been introduced across over a dozen states. This reflects a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD, as well as a shift in public opinion towards exploring the responsible use of these substances for medical and therapeutic purposes.
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The above law would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of psychedelics in their homes
In November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have legalized the possession and personal cultivation of certain naturally occurring psychedelics for people over the age of 21. The proposed law, known as Question 4, would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of psychedelics in their homes. It would have also created a commission and advisory board to regulate the licensing of services that administer psychedelics and establish a regimen for taxing sales.
The rejection of this law means that the possession and cultivation of psychedelics remain illegal in Massachusetts. However, it is important to note that several communities within the state have already moved to effectively decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, and there are ongoing efforts to legalize and regulate the use of psychedelics in the state.
The proposed law, Question 4, would have allowed individuals over the age of 21 to possess or use a personal amount of five specified psychedelic substances derived from fungi or plants. These substances included psilocybin and psilocin in mushrooms, as well as dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine in other plants. It is worth noting that the initiative did not include synthetic psychedelics such as LSD and MDMA, which have not been included in decriminalization efforts across the United States.
The regulation of psychedelics is a complex issue that involves balancing potential therapeutic benefits with safety considerations. While some people advocate for the legalization of psychedelics for therapeutic use, others have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with their use. It is important for local and state governments to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks when developing policies and regulations regarding the use and possession of psychedelics.
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Despite the rejection, several Massachusetts communities have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms
In November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have legalized the use, possession, and personal cultivation of certain psychedelic substances, including magic mushrooms, for people over the age of 21. Despite this rejection, several Massachusetts communities, including Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville, have already decriminalized the possession and use of psychedelic mushrooms.
The proposed law, known as Question 4, would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of psychedelic substances in their homes. It would also have created a commission and advisory board to regulate the licensing of services that administer these substances and establish a regimen for taxing sales. However, the measure was rejected by Massachusetts voters, with 47% in favor and 46% opposed according to a poll from January 2019.
The movement to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms in Massachusetts has been led by local activists and organizations such as Decriminalize Nature Massachusetts and Bay Staters for Natural Medicine. Proponents of decriminalization argue that psychedelic mushrooms have long been used for healing, knowledge, creativity, and spiritual connection. They also cite the potential therapeutic benefits of these substances, particularly in treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction.
The cities of Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville joined other cities across the United States, such as Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, in decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms. These cities have recognized the potential benefits of these substances and have chosen to prioritize other areas of law enforcement. However, it is important to note that the commercial sale of psychedelic mushrooms remains illegal in these cities.
While Massachusetts voters rejected the statewide legalization of psychedelic mushrooms, the trend towards decriminalization at the municipal level suggests a growing acceptance of these substances and their potential benefits. It remains to be seen whether more Massachusetts communities will follow suit and decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms within their jurisdictions.
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Cities like Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville have all decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms
In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are classified as Schedule I controlled substances with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Despite this, cities across the country have started to decriminalize the substance within their municipalities. In 2019, Denver, Colorado became the first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, with Oakland, California following soon after.
Within Massachusetts, cities like Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville have all decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms. In February 2021, after continuous outreach by Decriminalize Nature Massachusetts and Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, the City Council of Cambridge, Massachusetts voted to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms. The following month, in March 2021, Northampton, Massachusetts followed suit.
In January 2021, the City Council of Somerville, Massachusetts, voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms and ibogaine. The vote followed thirty individuals testifying to the city council in Oakland, California, about their prior experiences with psilocybin. Following the testimonies, the city council unanimously voted to decriminalize the drug.
In November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have legalized the possession and personal cultivation of certain naturally occurring psychedelics for people over the age of 21. The law would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their homes and would have created a commission to regulate those substances. However, several Massachusetts communities, including Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville, have already moved to effectively decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.
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If passed, Massachusetts Question 4 would allow individuals to possess or use a personal amount of specified psychedelic substances
In 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law that would have allowed individuals over the age of 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances, including magic mushrooms, under licensed supervision. This law, known as Question 4, would have also permitted individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their homes.
If passed, Massachusetts Question 4 would have allowed individuals to possess or use a personal amount of five specified psychedelic substances derived from fungi or plants. The specified psychedelic substances included psilocybin and psilocin in mushrooms and dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine in other plants. In addition, individuals would have been allowed to grow plants and fungi that contain these substances.
The law would have created a commission and advisory board to regulate the licensing of services that administer psychedelic substances and establish a regimen for taxing their sale. The commission would have been responsible for setting rules around licensing, training, and safety requirements, while the advisory board would have made recommendations about regulation and taxation issues. An excise tax of 15% on these substances would have been implemented.
The vote on Question 4 was closely contested, with a poll by the University of Massachusetts Amherst finding that 43% of voters supported the measure, while an equal share opposed it. Despite the rejection of Question 4, several communities in Massachusetts, including Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville, have already moved to decriminalize the possession of psychedelic mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
No, in November 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected a law proposed by initiative petition that would have legalized the possession and personal cultivation of certain naturally occurring psychedelics for people over the age of 21.
The law would have allowed individuals to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their homes and would have created a commission to regulate those substances.
Cities like Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville have all decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
