The U.K. Parliament recently opened a debate about psychedelics reform. Labor MP Charlotte Nichols opened the discussion around the need for medical access to psilocybin-assisted therapy.
In a call supported by politician, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM,) the Conservative Drug Reform Group and several other organizations, Nichols stated that there is “an urgent and medically-justified need” to reschedule psilocybin under the 2001 regulations.
After a brief review of psychedelics use and history starting with its origins from 7000-9000 BC to its setbacks and criminalization following 1970’s counterculture despite their proven health benefits, Nichols said it’s been over 50 years since the world –and the U.K.– is “in a stasis” on the topic.
“There are serious and considerable barriers to legitimate research, associated with Schedule I regulations,” she said. “While current legislation does not preclude scientific research with these drugs, it does make them significantly more difficult, time-consuming and costly to study.”
She provided an example of a researcher that found he had to invest £20,000 …