Citing a local case, DA Dan Dow joins opposition to legalizing psychedelic drugs

Citing a local case, District Attorney Dan Dow joined with his colleagues around the state to strongly oppose a bill that would decriminalize many dangerous psychedelic drugs.

District Attorney Dan Dow said last week that he stands with the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) in their strong objection to Senate Bill 58 (Senator Wiener), which seeks to decriminalize many dangerous hallucinogenic drugs.

Junior and senior high school students are among those who most commonly abuse hallucinogens. These drugs are made from plants, fungi, or are synthetically produced to alter a person’s perception and mood and are typically taken orally or can be smoked. Common street names include: Acid, Blotter, Cubes, Fry, Mushrooms, Special K, STP, and Ecstasy.[1]

“Drug use is not a victimless crime, as tragically demonstrated by the completely avoidable recent death of a 3-year-old boy in San Luis Obispo County,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “As San Luis Obispo County’s top safety officer, I strongly urge every person in our community to let your concerns about this reckless proposal be known loudly and clearly to our elected representatives in Sacramento. We must do everything possible to protect our youth from an early and avoidable death; decriminalizing dangerous drugs is an intentional act that puts every one of our youths and many adults in danger.”

You can view the California District Attorneys Association press release here.

You can learn more about hallucinogens and other illegal drugs by visiting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website dea.gov and get their free Drugs of Abuse Resource Guide.

To locate your elected representatives, click here: Who Are My Representatives? found on the California Secretary of State’s website.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.