Recent figures show that the psychedelics industry is expected to be worth more than $10 billion by 2027[1]. Contained in plants and mushrooms, natural psychedelics can be effective in psychiatric treatment, including the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders, according to experts. This has already been noticed by major medical corporations, especially as the world has been gripped by the scourge of depressive and neurotic disorders. However, experts fear that psychedelics may share the fate of cannabis, that is, fall into the hands of the richest, instead of also treating poorer patients.
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Psychedelics - a market worth 10 billion
The Guardian published an article by Josiah Hesse about the possible decriminalization of psychedelics in the US in the near future [2]. As it turns out, legalization brings with it systemic problems similar to those faced by marijuana distribution.
Hesse cites the words of Jason Ortiz, co-founder of the minority Cannabis Business Association and executive director of Students For Sensible Drug Policy. According to Ortiz, the possible decriminalization of psychedelics will not help their availability at all, but on the contrary will effectively prevent less affluent users from accessing substances such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms), ayahuasca (a plant mixture from South America) and DMT (a naturally occurring hallucinogen).
In the footsteps of CBD and Medical M?
The legalization of marijuana has made the rich richer, while minorities and psychedelic pioneers have been left behind. ~Josiah Hesse, 'This isn't the 60s again: psychedelics business takes off amid culture clash' (Guardian, 2021)
Hesse cites Ortiz, for whom limiting the psychoactive substances industry to the medical industry is not a solution, and the positive changes promised by the pharmaceutical industry-such as new jobs or an impact on improving the quality of life of marginalized communities-are way over the top.
End demonization
Some experts, however, argue that decriminalizing psychedelics in the first place is a huge opportunity for both business and society. The Guardian cites Klee Irwin, a researcher and director of Los Angeles-based Irwin Naturals.
Irwin was responsible for introducing CBD products to major U.S. supermarkets. According to him, the crisis in psychiatric care may accelerate the process of legalizing psychedelics, not just as prescription drugs.
Even if corking sacred Native American plants and selling them at Wallmart takes away from their seriousness, it's still a benefit to society at large, Irwin argues. Especially if such substances are available to people on every rung of the social ladder [3].
Source:
[1] 'Psychedelic Drugs Market Size Is Projected To Reach $10.75 Billion By 2027′, PR Newswire, Link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/psychedelic-drugs-market-size-is-projected-to-reach-10-75-billion-by-2027–301273405.html [for:] FinancialNewsMedia.com
[2] Hesse, J., 'This isn't the 60s again: psychedelics business takes off amid culture clash', The Guardian, Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/12/psychedelics-industry-us-big-pharma
[3] Ibid;
Author: D. Tarczon