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Support SB 519 to Decriminalize Psychedelics

By: Gina Vensel

Tuesday, August 10th

California's SB 519 has been making headlines. If you live in the state of California, please read on and consider sharing your voice in support of this important bill. And if you don't live in Cali, consider sharing this info with friends who do! 

SB 519 would remove criminal penalties for possessing numerous psychedelics—including psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, ibogaine, LSD and MDMA—for adults 21 and older. Read the entire bill HERE. 

PMP has been meeting with the Plant Medicine Coalition, who has been building a strong collaboration of companies and organizations in support of psychedelic reform. At last evening's meeting, David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner, called on us to take action and to contact Assembly Member Gonzalez to show support. Below is a letter that Bronner prepared, please share and use the info below to take action. 

Dear all,

If you live in California, before August 16, please call Assembly Member Gonzalez-Fletcher’s office, who is the Chair of the Assembly Appropriations committee in CA.  Whether you do or don’t live in California, please also spread the word to friends who live in CA (paste this email into social).  

We are getting close to the finish line!  We can do this but will take all of us letting our elected officials know regular folks of all political affiliations and professions need these medicines and believe in this bill.  After we get through Appropriations it will be a Floor vote in the Assembly end of the month, and then full court press on Governor Newsom.  But one step at a time:  if you live in CA, please call Chair Gonzalez-Fletcher’s office now!  And regardless where you live, please share with your CA friends and family.

Chair Gonzalez-Fletcher’s office contact info: (619) 338-8090

How to make an effective call in support of SB 519: 

  1. Use the script below:  The components of the script (your name, your zip, the bill you support, and why it’s a strong bill) are important to include on every call. If you have a personal story to share — write it out in advance so you’re ready to deliver it concisely. 
  2. Stay positive!: Our calls are all going to important members of the Assembly that could support SB 519 — we want them to know that we support this important piece of legislation and that passing it would be a good thing! Ask for their support and treat the members and their staff with kindness and respect.
  3. Take your time and be patient: Assembly staff are dealing with a lot right now, don’t rush them and don’t be surprised if you get put on hold or have to leave a message. Messages are as important as talking to someone live — just leave a message with the same script you use for in person conversations. 

Script for activists: 

Hi, my name is ____________ and my zip code is ___________. I am calling in support of SB 519 to decriminalize psychedelics to promote healing — especially for those that are suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD. 

Research from America’s top universities have found that psychedelic therapies can help in anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

I am a (veteran, medical professional, therapist, person suffering from depression / anxiety) and believe that SB 519 would make a difference in my life because I can use these medicines without fear of arrest and incarceration.

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We are in an exciting time when psychedelic reform is a possibility, but we need to use our voices together to make a difference. Thanks to all of our plant medicine activists nationwide that are helping to make this movement one based in compassion for others.