You're Not High - DC May Vote on Psychedelics

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

You're Not High - DC May Vote on Psychedelics

Feb 7, 2020, 16:16 PM by Robert Hay

DC voters could soon vote to lessen penalties on possession of psychedelic plants and fungi.

This week, the DC Board of Elections agreed to allow District voters to consider a proposal that would reclassify psychedelic plants and fungi to lessen the penalties for possession. The ballot measure would go before voters during the November election.

Per District law, the proposal must gather 25,000 signatures by July 1 to be officially placed on the ballot. The DC BOE ruling was simply that the initiative was appropriate for a ballot initiative. The formal language will also be published in the DC Register.

If voters approved the initiative, plants or fungus that contain ibogaine, mescaline, or psilocybin, among other hallucinogens, would not be legalized but lower the enforcement priority. This is part of an effort nationwide for some states and cities to lessen penalties on use and possession.

The use of psychedelics as a medical treatment have some limited medical support but lacks robust definitive study. MSDC and its partners will be watching carefully if the ballot initiative is approved.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.