Newsom Rejects Psychedelic Decriminalization & Cannabis Cafés

– In 2016, then lieutenant governor of California, Gavin Newsom, supported Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana in the state. As governor, he has acknowledged the potential of “psychedelic medicines” for mental health. However, in October, he vetoed bills that would have decriminalized four naturally occurring psychedelics and authorized Amsterdam-style cannabis cafés.
– Senate Bill 58, which would have eliminated criminal penalties for adults 21 or older who use psilocybin, psilocyn, mescaline, or dimethyltryptamine, was vetoed by Newsom. He cited the absence of “regulated treatment guidelines” as a reason for his veto. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), had passed the California State Legislature in September.
– Assembly Bill 374, which would have expanded the options for California residents and visitors who want to consume cannabis in a social setting, was also vetoed by Newsom. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D–San Francisco), would have allowed dispensaries, with local approval, to serve marijuana along with noncannabis food and beverages. Newsom asserted that this bill could undermine California’s smoke-free workplace protections.

Gavin Newsom, California’s Governor, Halts Psychedelics Decriminalization and Cannabis Cafés Bills

In 2016, Gavin Newsom, while serving as Lieutenant Governor of California, backed Proposition 64, which led to the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. As governor, he has shown enthusiasm for the potential of psychedelic medicines in addressing mental health issues. However, in October, he vetoed bills aiming to decriminalize naturally occurring psychedelics and permit Amsterdam-style cannabis cafés.

Senate Bill 58, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), passed the California State Legislature in September. The bill aimed to eliminate criminal penalties for adults 21 or older who use specific psychedelics for personal use, and also covered noncommercial production, distribution, and transportation.

Despite acknowledging the efficacy of psychedelics for certain conditions in his veto message, Newsom expressed concerns about decriminalization without regulated treatment guidelines.

Wiener labeled the veto a significant setback and pledged to introduce “therapeutic-focused legislation” in response.

Assembly Bill 374, proposed by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D–San Francisco), sought to provide more options for Californians to socially consume cannabis, including in dispensaries serving noncannabis food and beverages.

Newsom vetoed the bill, citing potential harm to California’s smoke-free workplace protections in his veto message.

Haney responded by noting that on-site marijuana smoking is already permitted under Proposition 64, and that the bill would have helped to tackle the thriving cannabis black market.

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