SAN DIEGO — California is set to consider legalizing 'magic mushrooms' and other psychedelics under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
New bipartisan legislation aims to approve this type of therapy to address the state's mental health crisis.
Last year, Governor Newsom vetoed legislation that would have decriminalized the possession and personal use of hallucinogens like psychedelic mushrooms. At the same time, though, the governor requested that lawmakers work on therapeutic guidelines for using these substances, under the supervision of a trained and licensed facilitator, which is what this new bill aims to do.
"There was nothing I could point to that made me happy," said Army Ranger veteran Jesse Gould, who now runs Heroic Hearts Project. "I knew that something had to change: otherwise I feared the worst at that point."
Gould, suffering from intense PTSD, finally found relief from his war trauma through psychedelic treatment.
"By the end of it, it was extremely apparent that it was completely different from what I had been told the evil drugs are," he told CBS 8.
Now, a bipartisan bill is working its way through the state legislature that would legalize this form of therapy in California for those 21 and over. It would allow the use of psychedelics like psilocybin, known as 'magic mushrooms,' as well as DMT, MDMA and mescaline, under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
"As we know, California is experiencing a severe mental health crisis," said Republican Assembly Member Marie Waldron, who represents parts of North County. She is teaming up with Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener on this legislation.
Waldron said that these drugs show promise in treating a number of mental health challenges, including PTSD, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
"It's also particularly beneficial to those on the front lines such as our veterans and first responders," she added.
"We're taking a science-based approach to this issue," Senator Wiener told CBS 8, pointing out that many people are currently using these substances despite currently being illegal in California.
"And the question is, is it safer for people to use in the shadows where they hide, or is it safer to use in the sunlight, and get accurate information about how to be safe?" he added.
Some groups, like the California Family Council, are already voicing their opposition, encouraging legislators to vote down the bill.
"I understand that there are some people who have concerns about drugs," Wiener responded. "There are organizations like the California Family Council that are very ideological about the issue. I'm trying not to be ideological and just look at the science."
As part of this bill, a program would be funded to educate the public about psychedelics.
"These substances, they're very effective, but they're very powerful," Wiener said. "So we want people to use safely and understand the risks."
Currently, psychedelic mushrooms are decriminalized in Colorado and Oregon, which have set up programs to use them therapeutically.
Also, here in California, the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Cruz have decriminalized possession of these drugs.
WATCH RELATED: Magic mushrooms showing promising results in treating anorexia