Yes on 4: Hope and Healing
Question 4 is a citizen-led ballot question supported by military veterans, doctors, caregivers, and others who are affected by our mental health crisis. The measure will create a carefully regulated therapeutic program for adults to access natural psychedelic medicines that show promise for treating serious mental health conditions.
Under Question 4, natural psychedelic medicine therapy will be administered under the supervision and guidance of a trained, licensed professional at regulated therapy centers. Retail sales of psychedelic medicines will not be permitted.
Voting Yes on Question 4 will give veterans, patients with end-of-life distress, and people who are suffering access to this life-saving mental health tool.
Thousands of Americans—including military veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors—have been helped by natural psychedelic medicines.
We’re facing a severe mental health crisis.
- One in three adults in Massachusetts is experiencing symptoms of an anxiety and/or depressive disorder.
- Deaths of despair are on the rise, and there’s a suicide epidemic among veteran, first responders, and health care workers.
- Daily medications, talk therapy, and other coping mechanisms help some people get by—but for many, these tools aren’t working.
Natural psychedelic medicine is a breakthrough therapy for mental health.
Pioneering research from the nation’s top medical institutions shows that natural psychedelic therapies can be effective for PTSD, depressive disorders, severe anxiety, and many other difficult-to-treat conditions.
Medical experts agree that natural psychedelic medicines are non-addictive. In fact, there is substantial evidence that natural psychedelic medicines can be helpful in treating substance use disorder. Furthermore, the risk profile of natural psychedelics like psilocybin, is significantly lower compared to other commonly-used substances.
Here are just a few of the promising ways natural psychedelic medicine therapy can help people in Massachusetts:
- Major depressive disorder: Research from Johns Hopkins found that 75% of patients with MDD treated with psilocybin therapy showed a significant positive response to the treatment, and 58% were in remission after a 12-month assessment.
- End of life anxiety: A study involving psilocybin-assisted therapy for cancer patients found that 80% of participants reported moderate to greatly increased well-being and life satisfaction.
- Alcohol use disorder: A study from New York University found that participants given psilocybin-assisted therapy reduced heavy drinking by 83%.
This fall we can bring hope and healing to Massachusetts
Question 4 will establish a program overseen by a state agency with oversight and guidance of an expert advisory board.
Following a two-year rulemaking process, adults 21 and older will be able to visit licensed and approved psychedelic therapy centers in 2026.
Psychedelic therapy will be administered and supervised only by trained and licensed professionals. The program will require pre-screenings, preparation sessions, and safety plans.
The initiative does not permit stores or retail sales for for psychedelic medicines.
Veterans with PTSD, patients with end-of-life anxiety, and people struggling with difficult to treat mental health conditions deserve compassion.
Our campaign is building a coalition across the Commonwealth. Join us and support Question 4 by sharing stories of healing and educating voters about the scientific research demonstrating the promise of natural psychedelic medicines.