Located in Sonoma County, also known as the wine region of the United States, Santa Rosa is widely known for its wine, vineyards, and beautiful scenery. However, with the vibrant and progressive culture of Santa Rosa, psychedelics still remain illegal.
If you are looking to appreciate the wine scene of Santa Rosa, you can spend the day at the renowned St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and Matanzas Creek Winery. After wine tasting, you can find many farm-to-table restaurants and farmers’ markets with locally sourced, organic produce.
The culture of Santa Rosa is unbeatable. Performing arts, festivals, and cultural events are held year-round with lots of engagement from the diverse community.
Additionally, there are many local tourist attractions. If you are a Peanuts fan, make sure to check out the Charles M. Schulz Museum.
Santa Rosa offers many outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, or riding your bicycle at the state parks nearby. Safari West, a wildlife preserve, provides tourists with the opportunity to learn more about its animals in a natural setting.
Today, we will go over everything you need to know about psychedelic therapy in California, including where to find legal psychedelic guidance, the history of psychedelics in Santa Rosa, and how psychedelic legislation has evolved to where it currently is.
The History of Psychedelics in Santa Rosa, California
To learn more about the current psychedelic legislation in Santa Rosa, it’s important to know how these psychedelic laws have evolved over time in the United States, particularly in California.
Psychedelics became widely known in the United States in the 1960s during the countercultural movement. San Francisco, California was a focal point during the movement, attracting thousands of young people from across the country.
The counterculture movement had a massive impact on society. Those who opposed the Vietnam War and took a stand against conformity were labeled as “hippies.” Beyond psychedelic laws, the movement impacted fashion, art, and music.
Many famous psychedelic figures, particularly Timothy Leary, came to light during the counterculture movement. Leary had a significant impact within the psychedelic realm. However, his influence as a leader of the movement led to a rapid rise and fall of psychedelics in America.
Leary’s influence had not gone unnoticed. Speaking out against authority, President Nixon referred to Leary as the most dangerous man in America. Some believe that Leary’s actions may have led to the illegalization of psychedelics.
Unfortunately, the outcome of the movement was not what many people wanted. In 1970, all psychedelics became Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act during the War on Drugs. Schedule I drugs are drugs that have no accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse.
Modern psychedelic research began in 1938 when Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered LSD. But due to the outcome of the War on Drugs, psychedelic research was halted and did not gain any interest up until recently.
There are a few colleges in California that currently research psychedelics. The Translational Psychedelic Research Program of UCSF is currently recruiting for psychedelic studies, and the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) focuses on psychedelic research, training, and public education.
The War on Drugs ended up doing the opposite of what it said it would do. In the 80s and 90s, the incarceration rate for nonviolent drug-related crimes skyrocketed. However, there was no significant reduction in drug use throughout the country.
Additionally, the War on Drugs focused on punishment rather than harm-reduction strategies, which ended up reducing the amount of accessible treatment and rehabilitation options for those struggling with drug addiction.
Current Legal Status of Psychedelics in Santa Rosa
As of now, all psychedelics are illegal in the city of Santa Rosa, California under the Controlled Substances Act. Because psychedelics are illegal here, that means psychedelic therapy is illegal as well.
Psychedelic therapists incorporate psychedelic therapy into their practice. However, it may be difficult to find a psychedelic therapist as they do not want to risk licensure due to current psychedelic legislation.
As a psychoactive substance, cannabis for medical use has been legal in California since 1996 and legal for recreational use since 2016. In fact, California was the first state to legalize cannabis for medical use.
However, other California cities, such as Oakland and Santa Cruz have decriminalized psychedelics. As of recently, San Francisco has decriminalized plant-based psychedelics, such as ayahuasca and psilocybin.
It’s important to note that decriminalization does not mean legal. Psychedelics are not the main priority of law enforcement in these select cities. However, many bills have been introduced to further eliminate criminal penalties for psychedelic drug possession and use.
Senator Scott Wiener has been a crucial part of working to decriminalize psychedelics in California. In 2021, he introduced Senate Bill 519, which would have decriminalized and eliminated penalties for psychedelic possession, use, and distribution. Unfortunately, the bill was thrown out.
Later on, Wiener introduced a similar senate bill. Senate Bill 58 would decriminalize plant-based psychedelics, such as psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote). Senate Bill 519 would have decriminalized synthetic hallucinogens as well, including LSD, MDMA, and ketamine.
Supporters of the bill argued that psychedelic substances are not addictive and have the potential to treat mental health and substance use disorders. Just a few weeks ago, on May 24, 2023, Senate Bill 58 was passed by the California Senate by a narrow 21-16 vote.
While psychedelics are still illegal under federal law, these bills are paving the way toward a wider acceptance of psychedelics in California as we continue to learn more about psychedelics and their potential therapeutic benefits.
Where to Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Santa Rosa 2023
As California cities continue to loosen up on psychedelic laws, finding a therapeutic psychedelic experience is possible. Currently, two options exist for those seeking a psychedelic experience in Santa Rosa: Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
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- Ketamine Clinics
Unlike other psychedelics, therapy with ketamine is legal in the United States. Although ketamine is not considered a traditional psychedelic, such as LSD or MDMA, it is the only FDA-approved drug that produces effects similar to psychedelics that can be used in therapeutic settings.
Ketamine is already FDA-approved as an anesthetic for surgery. In recent years, esketamine (brand name Spravato) was approved by the FDA for treating treatment-resistant depression. Because of this, it is much easier to find a healthcare professional to use ketamine for off-label uses.
As a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine can cause feelings of disconnection from yourself and your surroundings, which can help you view your problem in a different light. It has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, chronic pain, and treatment-resistant depression.
While the effects of ketamine therapy are promising, it is not a standalone treatment, as the results are often short-lived due to the lack of preparation and integration stages.
In order to get the best results, it’s recommended to combine ketamine therapy with another form of therapy, such as talk therapy. Additionally, ketamine therapy is pricey. In fact, a single session can cost between $400 to $1200 in California.
The costs will certainly add up, as ketamine sessions are not just one and done. Patients typically attend 6-8 ketamine infusion sessions.
If you are in search of a ketamine clinic near you, we encourage you to read our article on the benefits and pitfalls of ketamine therapy before scheduling a ketamine infusion session.
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- Guided Experiences With Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, our goal is to provide you with all the resources you need in order to have a safe and successful journey. We offer guided psychedelic journeys across the country and we are able to match you with a qualified psychedelic facilitator that is best suited for your needs.
Because you are in control of your journey, you are able to choose from a wide range of psychedelics to use. And the best part? You can have your psychedelic experience in the comfort of your home if you choose.
Our 5-week program is designed for personal transformation and is customized to fulfill your needs. Your guide will work with you through the preparation stage, support you during your psychedelic experience, and assist in the integration of your overall experience into your everyday life.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Santa Rosa Area
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- Oakmont
- Roseland
- Montgomery Village
- Fountiangrove
- Wright
- Burbank Gardens
- Bennett Valley
- West End
- St. Rose
- Ridgway Heights
- South Park
- Rincon Valley
- Historic Railroad Square
- Cherry Street Historic District
- Junior College
Speak With a Psychedelic Professional
If you are ready to begin your journey but don’t know where to start, look no further. At Psychedelic Passage, we want to make sure you get the most out of your experience.
We encourage you to book a consultation with one of our psychedelic concierges who will help you with any questions you may have as well as connect you to our pre-vetted network of experienced psychedelic facilitators.
Still craving to learn more? Make sure to check out our resources page to explore the benefits of psychedelic therapy and find the answers to all of your psychedelic questions. Enjoy your journey!
