Senator Brian Jones Advocates for Responsible Legislation on Psychedelics

In the legislative landscape of Sacramento, there stand a certain few representatives who, through action and thoughtful consideration, represent the ideals of responsible governance. Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) is emblematic of this, particularly as evidenced by his stance on Senate Bill 58.

Introduced by Senator Wiener (D-San Francisco), SB 58 proposes the decriminalization of the personal use of select hallucinogens for individuals aged 21 and above, slated to take effect in January 2025. While some may perceive this as a forward-thinking acknowledgment of the therapeutic potential of these substances, Senator Jones champions a more cautious approach.

Jones acknowledges the prospective therapeutic applications of certain psychedelics, especially in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. However, he astutely distinguishes between the bill’s intent and the broader implications it could entail. As Senator Jones articulates, “While I am sympathetic to the potential use of some psychedelics for mental and medical health treatment, this bill falls short of that vision.” The crux of his contention lies in the potential misuse of potent substances such as psilocybin in the absence of appropriate oversight.

It is relevant to note that the bill seeks to decriminalize substances, including dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline, psilocybin, and psilocin. While state-level decriminalization might be on the horizon, these substances would continue to remain illegal under federal law.

Senator Jones, explaining the potential hazards, states, “In its present form, this bill could inadvertently jeopardize public safety.” Advocating for a “friendly veto” from Governor Newsom, Jones envisions a more refined legislation in the future that facilitates the regulated, therapeutic use of psychedelics under stringent controls.

This prudent perspective resonates with various law enforcement entities across the state. The California Association of Highway Patrolmen succinctly encapsulates this sentiment, asserting, “SB 58, in its current iteration, harbors the potential to endanger public safety.”

For the discerning electorate, Senator Brian Jones’s position serves as a testament to his commitment to judicious legislation. His stance is not merely one of opposition but of fostering a balance between medical potential and public safety. In Senator Jones, Californians have a courageous advocate for careful and considered legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Jones Urges “Friendly Veto” of Measure Legalizing Psychedelics

SB 58 would decriminalize wide open use of hallucinogens

SACRAMENTO – Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging a “friendly veto” of Senate Bill 58 (Wiener, D-San Francisco). If not vetoed, SB 58 will decriminalize the personal use of specified hallucinogens for people over age 21 starting in January 2025. You can read the letter here.

“While I am sympathetic to the potential use of some psychedelics for mental and medical health treatment, particularly for veterans with PTSD, this bill is not that,” said Leader Jones. “It’s really the state greenlighting the unsupervised, ‘self-medicating’ use of hallucinogens like magic mushrooms.”

Specifically, SB 58 would decriminalize the personal use of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline, psilocybin, and psilocin by people age 21 or older, however, the drugs remain illegal under federal law.

“As currently written, this bill will put people’s lives in jeopardy,” continued Jones. “The Governor should issue a ‘friendly veto’ of SB 58 and leave the door open for future legislation that allows for closely supervised, therapeutic medical use of some of these drugs.”

Law enforcement officials and organizations throughout the state have voiced their concerns on this measure. One letter of opposition sent on behalf of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, summed up the reality of the situation very clearly, saying “SB 58 is an extremely harmful bill, because it will put people’s lives at risk.”