The sources I have found range from scientific studies about the effects of MDMA and Psilocybin to newspieces about the current legalization trajectories of these substances in specifically North America. The first source I knew of and immediately added was the site maps.org otherwise known as Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies which was an organization designed specifically for the study of psychedelics in a clinical setting. I knew of this organization prior to my research because it has become quite famous for the amount of money it raised this past year from private donations. This source is at the forefront for psychedelic research mainly because they have the funding to actually run research trials. Most researchers who want to do studies with psychedelics struggle in finding someone to fund them so most of the new reputable studies come straight from MAPS. This source and its various studies will make the backbone of my paper analyzing the basics of these substances to better understand them. The main focal point of my paper will be what we understand already about these substances so good research trials are integral for this to be accomplished. I have another study that analyzed the current climate regarding psychedelics which was found on NCBI (which is the National Library of Medicine). This study is good because it helps me clarify the different factors that psychedelics have to overcome even with empirical studies of positive effects. It will also be integral in my paper because it will help me conceptualize the former studies on these psychedelics and their effects and link that with the legalization process that are transpiring around North America. I have added to this repertoire three different common news organizations perspectives on the issue of psychedelic legalization. They are unfortunately all left leaning organizations, Rolling Stone, Vox, and Vice respectively. It would be helpful to have a convservative viewpoint but in regards to psychedelics it is difficult to find one that is not rampant with stereotypes and misinformation. These three articles will help me paint the picture of the legalization process and give it the social perspective I believe psychedelics need in order to better be understood. I have paired this with two final sources. The first is an op-ed from the NYTimes about why NOT to legalize Psychedelic mushrooms which is important to my paper to diversify the viewpoints. The final resource is the California Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative which I believe is an important part of what is going on politically and socially within California. It will help my paper by showing what a petition in favor of psychedelics is really asking by showing a real example of one. This will tie out my whole paper by providing a real life example of the base behind psychedelics and how they wield their intentions. I considered using another article from Fox News about the recent Oregon Psilocybin option for legalization on their ballot but it was so hard to find a good place in my paper for it because of the fact that their bias is so hard to ignore. I settled on trying to find something from another new source as I think that would help me form a better paper and I ended up with an Op-Ed from the NYTimes. I think I may be missing some more impressive sources in regards to my legalization articles and I think I will do some more digging in regards to that because there is so much that is going on in the small political realms across North America that those three articles may not do the scope of interest justice. 

Bibliography:

• Byock, Ira. “Taking Psychedelics Seriously.” Journal of Palliative Medicine, vol. 21, no. 4, Apr. 2018, pp. 417–421, 10.1089/jpm.2017.0684.
• “Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.” MAPS, 2019, maps.org/.
• Margolin, Shelby Hartman, Madison, et al. “First, It Was Weed — Now, Voters Have a Chance for Legal Psychedelics.” Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2020, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/lsd-psilocybin-psychedelics-legal-ballot-election-1079488/.
• Lopez, German. “2020’s Psychedelic Drug Ballot Measures, Explained.” Vox, 20 Oct. 2020, www.vox.com/future-perfect/21509465/psychedelic-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-medical-legalization-decriminalization-oregon-washington-dc. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.
• Semely, John. “After Legal Win, What’s Next for Magic Mushrooms?” Www.Vice.Com, 17 Aug. 2020, www.vice.com/en/article/jgxkwg/after-legal-win-whats-next-for-magic-mushrooms.
• “Home.” Decriminalize California, decrimca.org/?v=f24485ae434a. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.
• Pollan, Michael. “Opinion | Michael Pollan: Not So Fast on Psychedelic Mushrooms.” The New York Times, 10 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/opinion/denver-mushrooms-psilocybin.html.

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