Passing of Massachusetts ballot question four  would legalize the personal use and growth of plant-based psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms.

Voting “yes” on question 4 would mean that these psychedelics could be distributed to adults over 21 from licensed therapy centers. Psilocybin is a potential clinical treatment for many health disorders including substance use disorders, depression, anxiety or mental stress related to end-of-life care for cancer patients. Side effects of consuming psilocybin mushrooms include mind-altering side effects such as distorted sights, sounds, and a loss of time. A “No” vote would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances. 

Not much is known about the long-term impact of taking these drugs but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, psilocybin has low levels of toxicity, meaning it is unlikely to cause any fatal breathing or heart problems. The substance is not addictive but there are health risks associated when consumption is unsupervised including, dangerous behavior that may put the user or others at risk, or a “bad trip” which would cause the user to experience “extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia as they experience its hallucinogenic effects.”

Currently Oregon and Colorado have legalized the substance.

A “No” vote would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances.

As of press time, results for ballot question #4 has not been announced.