Legislators in Vermont are planning to introduce no fewer than two measures to decriminalize drug possession this legislative session.
In an interview, State Rep. Brian Cina stated that the bill he plans to introduce would eliminate penalties imposed on a range of fungi and plant-based psychedelics, including DMT, psilocybin, ibogaine and mescaline.
In a press conference, Rep. Selene Colburn stated that a bill she was working on would decriminalize all drugs was being drafted and would be introduced later in the session. Colburn stated that legislators were still working out the model, adding that they would probably use Oregon’s measure as a guide. The state of Oregon decriminalized all drugs through a ballot measure during the November 2020 elections.
Chittenden County state attorney Sarah George stated that drugs weren’t illegal because they were dangerous but being illegal did make them more dangerous. She explained that everything was much safer when it was regulated and legalized, adding that compared to illegal drugs, legal drugs were much safer.
Another measure that’s currently being drafted for the upcoming legislative session could regulate kratom sales and decriminalize buprenorphine. The former is a painkiller alternative and herbal medicine while the latter is utilized as a treatment for opioid use disorder. Cina stated that a separate legislation, dubbed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, would be used to help regulate sales and legalize the kratom. The legislation would establish a minimum age for purchasing the drug and outline rules that would help ensure product dosage and purity.
While there are those in favor of the decriminalization of all drugs, others oppose measures to do so, arguing that it would be a step too far. Attorney General TJ Donovan recently stated on a podcast that he supported some drug reform policies and acknowledged that drug reform policies could decrease harm. However, he noted that he could not, philosophically speaking, wrap his head around how public health or public safety could be improved by decriminalizing heroin.
Despite this though, Donovan asserted that he was open to ideas such as safe injection sites. He said that people shouldn’t shy away from tough conversations as progress was made, adding that people should be guided by both data and science as they make informed decisions.
Legislators from other states such as Virginia, Kansas, Florida and Connecticut are also considering drug policy and psychedelics reform bills for the 2021 session.
Meanwhile, Canada-headquartered XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) has vowed to press ahead with its 2021 plans of developing psychedelic drug formulations, especially those that will be administered through sublingual or transdermal methods.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/XPHYF
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