Drugism Dispatch #8
New studies on xylazine, methamphetamine, and MDMA; San Francisco charges ahead with SCS and saves lives; Massachusetts AG approves new psychedelic campaign; + more...
1. San Francisco safe consumption site opens despite Governor Newsom’s veto—and it’s already saving lives
2. New study finds that xylazine is an opioid
3. Methamphetamine and MDMA both show comparable increases in “feelings of connectedness”
4. Massachusetts AG allows state psychedelic campaign to proceed to signature-gathering stage
5. SAFE(R) Act inches closer to Senate vote
1. San Francisco safe consumption site opens despite Governor Newsom’s veto—and it’s already saving lives
A safe consumption site (or SCS, also known as overdose prevention center or OPC) has opened in San Francisco, despite California Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill to allow it. And it is not without precedent. Last year, a SCS operated in the city for several months before city officials shut it down.
Due to lack of city support, the San Francisco SCS is operating in a DIY fashion with minimal resources. Its current location is underneath a couple of canopy tents in an alley. Still, they have managed to do life-saving work. Already, the SCS has successfully reversed multiple overdoses, and in so doing, saved peoples’ lives. It is truly a shame that Governor Newsom has not authorized the city to support this project while record numbers of San Franciscans are dying from a toxic drug supply.
2. New study finds that xylazine is an opioid
Earlier this month, a preprint of a new study on xylazine was published. The study found that xylazine is active on kappa opioid receptors, thus rendering it an opioid. This is new information; until now, xylazine was not thought to be an opioid.
It should be noted that the kappa opioid receptors that xylazine acts on are technically a different set of receptors than the mu opioid receptors that most popular opioids (such as morphine, heroin, or fentanyl) activate.
3. Methamphetamine and MDMA both show comparable increases in “feelings of connectedness”
A new study has found that both MDMA and methamphetamine can “increase feelings of connectedness.” This quality is most often ascribed to MDMA in the press and scientific literature, but many heads already know that methamphetamine has therapeutic benefits too. Maybe—just maybe—that’s why so many people use it ;)
4. Massachusetts AG allows state psychedelic campaign to proceed to signature-gathering stage
Two notable developments have occurred in the psychedelic campaign unfolding in Massachusetts. Drugism Dispatch #5 briefly discussed the campaign, which hopes to legalize the possession of DMT, psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline, and ibogaine. The first thing worth noting is that the state’s Attorney General has allowed the bill to proceed to the signature-gathering stage. This means that the state will not challenge the constitutionality of the bill, which will be allowed to appear on a state ballot next year if the campaign can gather enough signatures. (Something tells me they will.)
The earlier dispatch also mentioned that the campaign was considering two similar versions of a nearly identical bill, one of which would allow home-grow while the other would not. In an exciting development, the campaign has opted to go with the home-grow option after polling residents about their preferences among the two bills. Right on!
5. SAFE(R) Act inches closer to Senate vote
This morning on Capitol Hill, the SAFE(R) Act passed a vote by the Senate Banking Committee. This means the bill is one step closer to a full Senate vote. The bill would establish some financial regulations for the legal cannabis industry. Although the bill has considerable support, it has faced scrutiny from congresspeople and activists alike. Once again, I’ll refer you to Jeremy Berke for a break-down of the bill and it’s current status in Congress.
