Here’s what experts, readers say about legalizing psychedelics in Mass.

Experts and readers weigh in on Question 4.

Legalizing psychedelic substances in Massachusetts has drawn nationwide attention and split some Mass. voters on either side of the ballot measure as Nov. 5 fast approaches.

The main supporter of the ballot measure, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), says Question 4 outlines an extensive plan to treat adults over the age of 21 with serious mental health conditions “under the supervision and guidance of a trained, licensed professional at regulated therapy centers,” per their website.

“What is known about psychedelics is that they produce a profound change in consciousness that’s often experienced as something deeply meaningful, important, or profound happening,” said Dr. Franklin King, a Harvard Medical School instructor and director of training and education at the Mass. General Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics.

If voters decide “yes” on Question 4, Mass. will be the third state in the nation to have legislation permitting the adult use of psychedelic drugs, trailing behind Colorado and Oregon.

“[Psychedelics] produce very potent, powerful states. These are not to be taken lightly,” said Dr. King. “Certainly for some people there can be very challenging experiences. There’s a host of things that can potentially go wrong, just the way that a really positive experience on psychedelics can leave lasting changes.”

Founding partner at Shawmut Strategies and spokesperson for the Coalition for Safe Communities, Chris Keohan, is among Massachusetts voters who are confident in checking “no” this fall.

“We’re not questioning the medical benefits of this under doctor supervision. But this goes a significant step too far and reduces the overall safety of those here in Massachusetts,” Keohan said. “Not just with additional drunk or drugged driving issues, but the issues that would be involved in the home growth to children, pets, [and] home insurance in general.”

The Coalition’s main concern with the ballot measure lies in the ability to grow psychedelics at home. The measure would allow up to 144 square feet to be grown. The minimum dimensions of a primary bedroom in the state is 120 square feet.

“It’s an astronomical amount of square footage for home growth,” said Keohan. “I probably wouldn’t be involved in this ballot question on the ‘no’ side if home growth was not included. The fact that it is, I think, poses a real significant threat to public safety.”

While in favor of universal legalization, some voters worry about limitations to access.

This is true for leadership at Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, a community group dedicated to educating members about the uses for psychedelic drugs.

“Eight cities and counting have already said that they want that policy implemented,” said James Davis, executive director and co-founder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine. “If we simply implement that, that is in some ways, the best form of legalization because it means that people are going to be getting this medicine from someone they know, and they’re going to be growing it themselves.”

Still, there are varied opinions on how psychedelic drugs should be regulated in the state.

“We never thought that a ballot question would be feasible in the state of Massachusetts,” said Davis. “We don’t think we’re there from a public opinion perspective, and that’s why we exist. To educate slowly, have hard conversations, meet with people who disagree with us, not just try to force it through by getting 51% of the vote.”

“That’s really what we want as an alternative form of legalization,” he said.

Following an announcement of the certified ballot questions, Boston.com polled readers asking whether or not they believe that psychedelic medical care for mental health should be legalized in the state. Out of 430 total responses, 74% voted “yes,” 21 voted “no,” and 4% selected “I don’t know.”

Based on the reader responses, two of the most most prevalent topics and concerns within legalization were public safety and mental health.

Here’s a sampling of what readers said, and how they plan to vote on Question 4.

Some responses have been lightly edited for length or clarity.

Should Mass. legalize psychedelic mushrooms?

Yes: Psychedelics benefit mental health

Out of the majority ‘yes’ votes, readers cited what psychedelic-assisted therapy could do for managing PTSD and other severe mental health diagnoses. Dr. King said, “there is a decent amount of work on the patient’s part, simply just being open to the experience and not trying to shy away from any negative stuff that can come up.”

“People hear psychedelic, and they forget the word therapy,” added Dr. King. “I think of this as just sort of going into the kind of contemporary issues that we can expect to probably see more of regarding psychedelics.”

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is a grinding, agonizing disease that claims countless lives through suicide and leaves many more lives shattered. It affects veterans, first responders and BIPOC people disproportionately. Conventional medication and psychotherapy are insufficient to assist these people. But research at Johns Hopkins, Columbia and other universities has shown remarkable and rapid benefits from brief treatment with psilocybin. Nixon era bias has cost us 50 years of unnecessary suffering. It’s time.”

– Mark M., Pittsfield, “yes” vote

“Only for medical and psychological use—not recreational. The data is compelling.”

– Peggy B., Lenox, “yes” vote

“This drug is so vital for those who are dealing with PTSD or childhood trauma. It allows us to move beyond our fears and find self-care and love within ourselves. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk the leading psychiatrist in trauma therapy has studied this and is a proponent for this type of treatment. It’s discussed within his New York Times bestseller, ‘The Body Keeps the Score.'”

– Matt, Walpole, “yes” vote

“If this natural mushroom can help someone heal it should be available to them. The more natural medicines are better for the body and our planet.”

– John, Woburn, “yes” vote

“Psychedelic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, and clearly have a reason to be used. It makes no sense that these mushrooms are still illegal when other substances, like alcohol, which are generally more harmful are not.”

– Cannon W., Framingham, “yes” vote

No: I’m concerned about public safety

A common reason readers say they will vote “no” comes from concerns about the potentially adverse effects this access could have. Keohan advises that people should, “listen to the medical professionals. Listen to the psychiatrists.”

“For clinic’s mental health uses, yes. For recreational use, no. We have seen an increase in drug abuse since legalization of marijuana. Our energy should go into treatment rather than legalization.”

– A Boston.com reader, “no” vote

“Psychedelics are not proven to be medicine by themselves. What psychedelic research has shown is the potential therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic-ASSISTED THERAPY in highly structured/supportive settings. These substances do carry real psychological/mental health risks that need to be understood better before broadening their access in real-world settings. The premature legalization process can bring unintended negative impacts on public mental health, with certain vulnerable populations (such as high-risk youth) being the most vulnerable ones.”

– A Boston.com reader, Cambridge, “no” vote

“Risks are known. Benefits are limited. Can be ‘administered’ at home, an avenue to abuse.”

– PB, Brookline, “no” vote

“I’m an ER nurse. Since marijuana was legalized, the number of trauma cases I see because of cannabis use has skyrocketed. I can smell it on some patients; others admit to using edibles. Most recently, I took the vitals of a driver who passed out while on shatter who broke both femurs of the driver whose car he struck with his pickup. Human nature is what it is, and ‘patients’ will misuse this ‘medicine,’ causing permanent harm to others. With alcohol, police could blood or breath test on the spot to detect overuse. Not so with formerly illegal drugs.”

– A Boston.com reader, “no” vote

“One wonders if the item was not taxed if we would be pursuing this. Things that distort normal cognitive functioning would seem to be the wrong thing to be promoting.”

– Magee, Dorchester, “no” vote

I’m undecided

“I think legalizing them is what we should do. I don’t think the part of the bill where it has to be taken under licensed very expensive for profit ‘health’ (ie: For Large Profit to Private Corporations) centers should be in this bill or should be allowed. These useful medicines should be decriminalized and allowed to be used without the caveat of health centers. We don’t do that with marijuana. It shouldn’t be done in this instance either. It restricts access to the very wealthy and those who have mental health needs who are not wealthy are denied access under this bill proposal.”

– Alex, Melrose, “I don’t know” vote

“I don’t know enough about them to provide a fair opinion, but if something is described as “psychedelic,” is that not akin to distorting reality? Not sure how altering reality could be beneficial to anyone.”

– Erin, Nashua, “I don’t know” vote

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.

Nia Harmon is a community co-op for Boston.com and a journalism student at Emerson College. She is a journalism major with a minor in media studies at Emerson College. She is a native of Dallas, Texas.