Iowa Lawmakers Attempt to Legalize Psychedelics

The times are changing. People have moved beyond discussing marijuana legalization. Now they’re talking psychedelics. Ten years ago, could you have imagined a respectable politician discussing magic mushroom legalization?

State Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-IA) issued the following statement, “I believe an Iowan should not be criminalized for trying to use psychedelic substances for medicinal purposes. If these drugs can help our veterans who suffer from PTSD, our family members who suffer from addiction, or help a loved one get relief from near death anxiety, we should be doing all we can push making these options safe and available.”

Then, Shipley introduced two bills:

• House File 249 would remove Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ibogaine from the list of Schedule 1 controlled substances and allow for the state to create laws that would allow the drugs for medical purposes.
• House File 248 effectively decriminalizes Psilocybin

Libertarians have fought for access to certain drugs and medicines for decades, and now these ideas of individual autonomy and better access to medical and recreational are becoming far more mainstream among American political discourse.

Bills like this restore freedom to individuals and their health providers and give them access to the help they need. These advancements in the scientific understanding of these drugs benefit will people suffering countless medical conditions they can now seek alternative treatments and medicines for..

Iowa joins states such as Colorado, Oregon, and others attempting to expand medical research and access to psychedelics in 2019. They seem to be making progress. The Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Decriminalization Initiative collected 5,559 valid signatures – 16 percent more than necessary to get on the ballot.

The fact that red states and blue states are showing an interest in something of a taboo topic shows that people are beginning to understand this issue is far more than simply about access to psychedelics and other drugs.

Drug reform and medical freedom is not a traditional left-right issue. Partisans on both sides of the aisle have supported initiatives and efforts such as this, while at the same time many statists have attempted to prevent it by sticking to outdated, draconian beliefs and policies about psychedelics and other drugs.

By pushing past the fixed narrative and giving citizens the opportunity to make decisions for themselves who knows what people can do to better their health, lives, and civil liberties.