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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsSocial IssuesDrug PolicyCaliforniaMental HealthDecriminalizationPsilocybinStates: California•••Started 4mos agoActive 1wk ago

Should California decriminalize the possession and use of plant-based psychedelics like magic mushrooms?

This issue centers on the decriminalization of plant-based psychedelics, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline, for personal use by adults aged 21 and over. Following the veto of Senate Bill 58 by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023, advocates are pushing for a ballot measure to bypass the legislature, arguing that these substances are non-addictive and naturally occurring. The proposal typically excludes synthetic psychedelics like LSD. Proponents argue that psilocybin has breakthrough therapeutic potential for treating veterans with PTSD, depression, and…  

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 10.1k America voters.

58%
Yes
42%
No
50%
Yes
34%
No
6%
Yes, psilocybin is a breakthrough therapy for PTSD and depression that should be treated as medicine, not a crime
3%
No, decriminalization without strict medical supervision poses a serious risk to public safety
2%
Yes, the government has no right to ban nature or police human consciousness
3%
No, California's streets are already overwhelmed by the drug crisis and we shouldn't add powerful hallucinogens to the mix
2%
No, we need to enforce existing drug laws rather than legalizing more intoxicants

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 10.1k America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 10.1k America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BDW86BV from California  answered…4wks4W

No, but I do believe in many cases, they can be helpful and therefore should be allowed to be prescribed.

 @BD7PN35 from California  answered…2mos2MO

It depends. They should have a license or a prescription of some sort and make it more harder to get

 @BF4GTX3 from California  answered…1wk1W

Only if we improve our current addiction prevention services and access to healthcare or social services.

 @BF38N4W from California  answered…1wk1W

No, California shouldn’t criminalize the possession but strict laws and regulations should be in place while under the influence of them (driving, working etc.) and distribution. Criminalize the breaking of those laws not the possession.

 @BF2V89F  from California  answered…2wks2W

Only if it’s strictly used for medical reasons only

 @BF2SWDR from California  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but there must be a fair trial and investigation that shows that the psychedelics were used as medication

 @BF2RPSG from California  answered…2wks2W

We should expand research and further plan guidelines and community supports before we think about decriminalization

 @BF2M4ZC from California  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but maintain strict criminalization for driving under the influence. If the substances are not addictive, then like weed, they can be better managed to be more safely accessed.

About This Data

Based on 10.1k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should California decriminalize the possession and use of plant-based psychedelics like magic mushrooms?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5548443192

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