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Among the ballot initiatives before U.S. voters on November 8 is a measure that would permit the use of psychedelic mushrooms and other naturally occurring hallucinogens in the Western state of Colorado.
Scott Stearns narrates this story by Svitlana Prystynska in Denver.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script MIDTERMS - LEGALIZING MAGIC MUSHROOMS
HEADLINE: Colorado Voters to Decide on Legalizing Psychedelic Mushrooms
TEASER: Naturally occurring hallucinogens on the ballot
PUBLISHED AT: 11/03/22 at 11am
BYLINE: Svitlana Prystynska
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Denver
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vladimir Petruniv
VIDEO EDITOR: Vladimir Balinsiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: SKS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:40pm
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Script re-edited to shorten and to add agency video cues))
((INTRO:))
[[Among the ballot initiatives before U.S. voters on November 8 is a measure that would permit the use of psychedelic mushrooms and other naturally occurring hallucinogens in the Western state of Colorado. Scott Stearns narrates this story by Svitlana Prystynska in Denver.
((NARRATOR))
A measure before voters in the U.S. state of Colorado would allow adults to grow and use certain naturally occurring psychedelics, including mushrooms. Their sale would be limited to state-licensed “healing centers,” where trained facilitators would supervise their use.
((Mandatory courtesy: Beth Weinstein))
Entrepreneur and spiritual coach Beth Weinstein says restricting sales to Colorado healing centers would further distinguish natural hallucinogens from other legal intoxicants such as alcohol.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((Beth Weinstein, Spiritual Coach))
"This plant medicine is not necessarily something someone will take and cruise around the road or go to the bar, like we do with alcohol, and drive home. Most people, and I can only speak for myself and many communities that I know, they actually go to one place to have a psychedelic experience.
((NARRATOR))
Supporters of the proposal point to clinical trials that show the drugs’ uses in treating terminally ill patients and people who suffer from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Matthew Duffy is co-founder of the Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education.
((Matthew Duffy, Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform and Education))
"I don’t think that people who are seeking healing and have relief in their lives should be punished. People need support."
((NARRATOR))
Duffy says that support requires a rethinking of the infrastructure supporting mental health and alternative therapies.
((Matthew Duffy, Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education))
"Psychedelics aren’t going to do this for us. We have to take care of ourselves, take care of each other and we have to create the community capacity to actually integrate psychedelics well.
((NARRATOR))
Opponents of the proposal include the Colorado parents’ group Blue Rising Together, which says hallucinogens could easily get into the hands of children. The group says the ballot initiative is being driven by profit-making commercial interests that will then push for full legalization, as was previously allowed in The Netherlands. The parents’ group spoke with VOA about the measure but declined an on-camera interview.
The U.S. Department of Justice says ingesting psilocybin [Sill-oh-sye-bin] mushrooms can have negative physical and psychological consequences including nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, and panic reactions and psychosis, particularly if a large dose is used.
((Scott Stearns VOA News for Svitlana Prystynska in Denver, Colorado))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Denver, Colorado
Embargo DateNovember 3, 2022 17:57 EDT
Byline
Scott Stearns narrates this story by Svitlana Prystynska in Denver.
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
