Safe Access New York

Understanding Legislation

This report examines the safety and efficacy of plant medicine with psychedelic properties, focusing on bill A3434 in the New York State Senate. We aim to provide a balanced overview, encouraging informed discussions.

Bill Summary
Conclusion

Summary of the Bill

Learn More

Dive deeper into the specifics of the bill and take action like record your support with the New York State Senate, and find and contact the state senator for your district.
Read Full Bill

About New York Assembly Bill A3434

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New York Assembly Bill A3434 proposes the decriminalization and regulated access to certain natural plant and fungi-based psychedelic substances, including psilocybin and mescaline. The bill acknowledges the growing body of scientific research supporting the therapeutic potential of these substances for treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

  • Removes criminal penalties for the possession, use, and cultivation of specific natural psychedelics for adults over 21.
  • Establishes guidelines for safe and regulated access while emphasizing public health and harm reduction.
  • Recognizes the historical and cultural significance of plant-based psychedelics in indigenous and therapeutic practices.
  • Supports further research and policy development to integrate these substances into mental health and wellness programs.

Why This Matters:

  • Current drug policies criminalize individuals seeking alternative treatments, often disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
  • States like Oregon and Colorado have implemented similar policies, showing positive outcomes without increased public safety concerns.
  • Decriminalization allows law enforcement to prioritize pressing issues like the opioid crisis instead of penalizing non-violent psychedelic use.

πŸ”Ή Take Action:

  • Sign up to receive updates on the bill’s progress.
  • Contact your state senator and express your support for Bill A3434.
  • Learn more about the benefits of plant-based psychedelic therapies and how they can improve mental health outcomes.

πŸ‘‰ Click Here to Read the Full Bill

Safety and Efficacy: Key Findings

Key Findings on the Safety & Efficacy of Natural Medicines with Psychoactive Properties

Scientific studies and anecdotal reports consistently demonstrate that natural plant and fungi-based psychedelic medicinesβ€”such as psilocybin, mescaline, ibogaine, and ayahuascaβ€”are highly effective in treating mental health disorders, including depression, PTSD, addiction, and anxiety. These substances have been used safely for centuries in indigenous and spiritual traditions and are now being recognized for their transformational healing potential in modern medicine.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Psychedelic Therapy

πŸ”Ή Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) – Treating Depression & Anxiety

  • A Johns Hopkins University study found that two doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression symptoms for over a year in 75% of participants.
  • NYU research shows that psilocybin reduces end-of-life anxiety in cancer patients, providing profound relief from emotional distress.
  • Clinical trials have demonstrated psilocybin-assisted therapy is more effective than antidepressants, with fewer side effects and long-lasting benefits.

πŸ”Ή Mescaline (Peyote & San Pedro) – Enhancing Emotional Resilience

  • Studies on Native American Church members found that regular peyote use had no negative cognitive effects and was associated with greater psychological well-being and reduced substance abuse.
  • Mescaline has been shown to enhance introspection, improve emotional processing, and support trauma recovery in controlled settings.

πŸ”Ή Ibogaine – Breaking Opioid Addiction

  • Preliminary studies show that ibogaine can significantly reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it a promising tool for combatting the opioid crisis.
  • Research suggests that one dose of ibogaine can lead to long-term addiction remission, with many individuals staying opioid-free for months or years after treatment.
  • Despite potential cardiac risks, medical supervision mitigates safety concerns, and patients report life-changing benefits from its use.

πŸ”Ή Ayahuasca – PTSD & Trauma Healing

  • Ayahuasca-assisted therapy has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms by over 60% in veterans and trauma survivors.
  • Brain imaging studies suggest that ayahuasca enhances neuroplasticity, helping individuals process trauma in ways that conventional therapy often fails to achieve.
  • Participants report profound emotional breakthroughs, increased resilience, and improved relationships after guided ayahuasca experiences.

Anecdotal Evidence & Real-World Success Stories

🌿 Veteran PTSD Recovery – A U.S. Marine who struggled with severe PTSD for over a decade found dramatic relief after psilocybin therapy, reporting reduced nightmares, improved emotional stability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

🌿 Overcoming Opioid Addiction – A woman battling a 15-year heroin addiction found lasting sobriety after one ibogaine treatment, eliminating withdrawal symptoms and transforming her outlook on life.

🌿 Healing from Childhood Trauma – A survivor of childhood abuse who had tried multiple forms of therapy with little success experienced major emotional breakthroughs after an ayahuasca ceremony, leading to lasting improvements in mental health.

🌿 Cancer Patient Relief – A terminally ill patient, consumed by anxiety and fear, underwent psilocybin therapy and reported a sense of peace and acceptance that transformed her final months.

Why Safe Access is Better than Criminalization

πŸ”Ή These medicines are safer than most prescription drugs, with no risk of lethal overdose.
πŸ”Ή Criminalization forces individuals into unsafe, unregulated underground markets where there is no quality control or medical oversight.
πŸ”Ή Legalization allows for professional guidance and screening, ensuring optimal safety and effectiveness.
πŸ”Ή States like Oregon and Colorado have seen no significant public safety risks since decriminalization, while thousands have benefited from safe access to these medicines.

Take Action: Support Safe Access in New York!

πŸ“’ New York Assembly Bill A3434 would decriminalize these life-changing natural medicines and pave the way for regulated therapeutic access.

🌿 Help Make a Difference:
βœ”οΈ Sign up to receive updates on the bill.
βœ”οΈ Contact your state senator and urge them to support A3434.
βœ”οΈ Click below to take action!

πŸ‘‰ Support Bill A3434

By passing Bill A3434, New York can lead the way in compassionate, science-based drug policy, offering real solutions for mental health, addiction, and trauma recovery. Let’s build a future where healing is legal! πŸš€

Check out the sources

Below is a complete list of all sources cited in the report:

I. Introduction & Legislative Context

  1. New York State Assembly Bill A114 – Legislation legalizing possession and use of certain natural plant-based hallucinogens

II. Historical and Cultural Use of Plant-Based Psychedelics

  1. Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Psilocybin Use – Frontiers in Pharmacology

  2. Traditional Use and Cultural Significance of Ayahuasca – Frontiers in Pharmacology

  3. Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine, and Ayahuasca – PubMed

  4. Psychedelic Therapies Reconsidered: Compounds, Clinical Indications, and Therapeutic Approaches – PubMed Central (PMC)

III. The Need for Integrated Guidance and Respectful Practice

  1. How to Fold Indigenous Ethics into Psychedelic Studies – Science Magazine

IV. Current Use and the Impact of Criminalization

  1. Psychedelic Therapy Overview – Wikipedia

V. Benefits of Decriminalization and Regulated Access


  1. Evaluating the Impact of Decriminalization Measures in Oregon – PMC (National Center for Biotechnology Information)

  2. Psychedelic Therapies Reconsidered: Compounds, Clinical Indications, and Therapeutic Approaches – PubMed Central (PMC)

VI. Anecdotal Evidence Supporting Therapeutic Benefits

  1. Psychedelic Therapies Reconsidered: Compounds, Clinical Indications, and Therapeutic Approaches – PubMed Central (PMC)

VII. Addressing Risks Through Current Legislation


  1. New York State Assembly Bill A114 – Regulatory framework for psychedelic medicine

  2. New York Psilocybin Legalization: Framework and Guidelines – Filter Magazine

VIII. Addressing Unique Challenges in New York State

  1. Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders in New York – Wikipedia: Psychedelic Therapy Overview

IX. Additional Research on Psychedelic Medicine and Mental Health

  1. MDPI Pharmaceuticals Journal: Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Compounds for Substance Use Disorders

  2. Queen’s University Health Sciences: Psychedelic Medicine Review

  3. VA Health Services Research & Development: Psychedelic Medications for Mental Health

  4. Frontiers in Psychiatry: Psychedelic Therapy in the Treatment of Addiction

  5. The Need for Publicly Funded Research on Psychedelic Therapies – World Psychiatry

  6. TIME Magazine: Safer Psychedelic Drugs May Be Coming

  7. Vox: Why Are So Many Men Doing Ayahuasca?

Final Note


The full report we compiled will be available soon.

Tank you to all of the supporters and researchers that have contributed to these resources and facilitated this work to support informed decision-making and help advance policy changes that improve lives.