On May 30th, Frank Lee, Vice Chairman of the California Anti-Drug Alliance and Director of the “Reduce Homelessness, Substance Abuse and Theft Proposition”, shared some legislative achievements during an online seminar. He also invited Dr. Evelyn, President of the Patients’ Rights Association, to educate the audience on the dangers of psychedelic drugs.
During the online conference, Frank Lee delivered two pieces of positive legislative news. The first was the rejection of the SB 1012 proposal to legalize psychedelic drugs, and the second was his confidence in the replacement of Proposition 47 with the “Reduce Homelessness, Substance Abuse and Theft” proposition, expected to be announced on the November ballot.
In California, the legislative approval process typically involves passing through three committees in the Senate and then gaining approval from all Senators before moving to the Assembly. In the Assembly, it must also pass through three committees and then be voted on by all Assembly members. Finally, necessary adjustments are made to the bill version before it is presented to the Governor for signing into law.
In the Senate, proposals must go through the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, the Public Safety Committee, and the Appropriations Committee. However, this year, the legalization proposal for psychedelic drugs, SB 1012, was blocked in the Senate.
The rejection of SB 1012 in the California Senate had various reasons, including opposition from multiple parties, including moderate Democratic Senators. Particularly, Senator Angelique V. Ashby, chair of the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, strongly opposed the proposal.
Ashby pointed out during the hearing that SB 1012 had many issues and did not meet the required standards for approval. She mentioned the lengthy process of legalizing marijuana for recreational use and criticized the expedited push for psychedelic drug legalization. She expressed concerns about the potential proliferation of psychedelic drug shops and the lack of public voting rights in the proposal.
Although SB 1012 passed the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee with a 7:4 vote and the Public Safety Committee with a 3:2 vote, it was ultimately blocked in the Senate Appropriations Committee, halting its progress.
Frank Lee mentioned that the first public hearing for the proposal at the Appropriations Committee was delayed due to internal disagreements. He initiated a phone campaign on May 1st and 15th, and eventually learned on the 16th that the proposal had been rejected by the committee.
He emphasized that implementing the SB 1012 proposal would cost at least between 200 to 300 billion dollars, which was unfeasible given California’s current financial deficit.
Dr. Evelyn, a cardiologist and President of the Patients’ Rights Association, highlighted the increasing use of psychedelic drugs among the youth and the dangers they pose. She explained the effects of Psilocybin, the primary compound in psychedelic drugs, which can induce strong hallucinations and alter thinking and behavior.
She further warned about the adverse effects of psychedelic drugs, including abnormal brain cell formation, vomiting, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and emotional disturbances.
Frank Lee stressed that the legalization of psychedelic drugs would jeopardize public safety on California’s highways and college campuses, as emphasized by the California Highway Patrol and former President of the California College Police Chiefs Association.
He urged the Chinese community to remain vigilant against drug-related evils and reminded them to support the “Reduce Homelessness, Substance Abuse and Theft” proposition as an alternative to Proposition 47 in the upcoming November elections.
In conclusion, the discussions during the online conference also covered the recent medical regulations, including issues like Premature Release, indicating the ongoing efforts to address various aspects of public health and safety.