🍄 Coming soon? Psychedelics on the ballot in Mass.

Also: BMC ends migrant policy; Fenway Park prepares for pickleball [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 12, 2023 ☀️ Sunny, with a high of 92 and a chance of thunderstorms tonight. Good Morning Boston, It looks like we [may not have a very good shot]( of seeing the Northern Lights this week after all. (Womp womp.) But if you find somewhere dark, UMass Lowell's [Dr. Ofer Cohen]( told our own Samantha Coetzee your best shot is to look for a glow above the horizon to the north sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. tonight or tomorrow. First, let's shift our gaze to a different story this morning. - After Massachusetts legalized marijuana and made it into a[multi-billion dollar industry]( drug reformers in the state are eyeing a new frontier: psychedelics. And like marijuana, they're looking at using the ballot initiative process to get it done. Last week, a group called Mass. for Mental Health Options quietly[filed paperwork]( to lay the groundwork for a future ballot campaign to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms and other natural psychedelics, as State House News Service [scooped](. Those involved say the campaign could come as soon as next year. - The case for it: "We’re in a mental health crisis, and research has shown that psychedelic medicines can be effective in providing relief," said Ben Unger, the psychedelic policy director of the group New Approach, which is involved with the Bay State ballot effort. Some of that research has been conducted locally at centers set up by[Harvard]( and[MGH]( to study psychedelics' effectiveness treating conditions like PTSD, depression and anxiety. - The status quo: Federal law generally bans anyone from growing or possessing psilocybin mushrooms, though a handful of Massachusetts communities — including Cambridge,[Somerville]( Salem and Northampton — have taken small steps to decriminalize possession within their borders. - What the measure would do: Last week's filing describes the potential measure as a proposal to create "access" to natural psychedelics and remove criminal penalties for personal possession across the state. Beyond that, Unger says they're still working out the details. But he stressed that New Approach has focused on "regulated, licensed, supervised psychedelic therapy" in other states. "Not retail, not legalization, not for take home." - What that looks like: [Oregon]( and [Colorado]( are the only states that have decriminalized psychedelics — both by ballot measure. But there are no dispensaries; rather, the two states only allow those over 21 to buy and use the drugs under supervision at licensed centers. (FWIW: Oregon and Colorado are still working to finalize their regulations, so they're currently in a bit of [a gray area]( - What's next: Unger says they'll decide on when they move forward with a Massachusetts ballot question — in 2024 or 2026 — in the coming months, as they do more outreach across Massachusetts. (For 2024, the initial filing deadline is early August.) - Meanwhile: Some psychedelic supporters have been[trying to take the route through the State House](. It turns out the fledgling effort even has some bipartisan support among lawmakers. - Stick to the PGA Tour: That's what the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is telling bettors, after batting down a request yesterday from DraftKings to add LIV Golf to the state's list of [legal sports betting options](. Commissioners reasoned they'd like to see how the proposed merger between the PGA and LIV plays out, not to mention hesitancy about the Saudi-backed spinoff league in general. - DraftKings' request came the same day as [a U.S Senate hearing scrutinizing the proposed PGA-LIV merger]( over antitrust issues and "[sports-washing]( concerns. - Speaking of golf: Boston's [summer golf course concert series]( tees off [tonight]( at the William Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park. It's the first of five golf course concerts scheduled through August. - Patriots fans will notice a big difference at Gillette Stadium this season: a [stunningly wide video board](. Officials say the 370-foot-wide screen is the largest outdoor stadium video board in the country. - The [$250 million overhaul]( also includes adding an operational observation deck to the stadium's renovated lighthouse tower, and a new [beer hall]( where fans can see players come out of the locker room. P.S.— Need another incentive to [take public transit during the Sumner Tunnel closure]( How about free access to newspapers and magazines? The MBTA and Boston Public Library are expanding their “Browse, Borrow, Board” program to the Blue Line, East Boston ferry, more bus stops and commuter rail (yes, we [wrote about this in May](. Look for [the sidewalk decals]( and scan the QR codes to start reading. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Boston Medical Center ends policy that allows migrant families to shelter overnight]( For over a year, the hospital let migrant families without housing sleep overnight. Now, citing safety concerns, BMC is barring the parents and children from staying and redirecting them elsewhere. Some families have been given free transportation to Logan Airport to wait there until state field offices and other resources open. [Read more.]( [Boston Medical Center ends policy that allows migrant families to shelter overnight]( For over a year, the hospital let migrant families without housing sleep overnight. Now, citing safety concerns, BMC is barring the parents and children from staying and redirecting them elsewhere. Some families have been given free transportation to Logan Airport to wait there until state field offices and other resources open. [Read more.]( [How a UPS strike could disrupt deliveries and roil the package delivery business]( A strike by UPS workers would likely mean package delays for consumers across the country and it would shake up an increasingly competitive industry. [Read more.]( [How a UPS strike could disrupt deliveries and roil the package delivery business]( A strike by UPS workers would likely mean package delays for consumers across the country and it would shake up an increasingly competitive industry. [Read more.]( [Heavy rains damage crops, homes and floods the Connecticut river in western Mass.]( Western Massachusetts is dealing with flooding and property damage as Connecticut River carries flood water runoff from Vermont down through the Pioneer Valley and towards the Atlantic Ocean. [Read more.]( [Heavy rains damage crops, homes and floods the Connecticut river in western Mass.]( Western Massachusetts is dealing with flooding and property damage as Connecticut River carries flood water runoff from Vermont down through the Pioneer Valley and towards the Atlantic Ocean. [Read more.]( [Bank of America to pay $250 million for illegal fees, fake accounts]( An investigation found that Bank of America raked in tens of millions of dollars in resubmitted insufficient funds fees. The bank also illegally opened credit cards without customers knowledge. [Read more.]( [Bank of America to pay $250 million for illegal fees, fake accounts]( An investigation found that Bank of America raked in tens of millions of dollars in resubmitted insufficient funds fees. The bank also illegally opened credit cards without customers knowledge. [Read more.]( [With pending newspaper sales, nonprofits set to take a bigger role in Maine journalism]( The nonprofit National Trust for Local News plans to buy the Portland Press Herald and other daily and weekly newspapers in Maine by the end of July, increasing the share of news organizations owned by a nonprofit in the state. Here’s what that means for the journalism business. [Read more.]( [With pending newspaper sales, nonprofits set to take a bigger role in Maine journalism]( The nonprofit National Trust for Local News plans to buy the Portland Press Herald and other daily and weekly newspapers in Maine by the end of July, increasing the share of news organizations owned by a nonprofit in the state. Here’s what that means for the journalism business. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Headed out in the heat today? Fortunately, the temperatures in Boston won't be as extreme as[other parts of the country]( but it will still be hot. Here are [eight heat mistakes to avoid]( to stay safe and cool. - After losing several cherished venues, the future of the jazz scene in Boston hangs in the balance. But there's a growing festival on the banks of the Charles River that aims to restore it. Get ready for [this weekend's Charles River Jazz Festival at Herter Park in Allston](. - Back-to-school shopping already? Spending on school supplies is predicted to decline this year for the first time since 2014, as inflation — even if [much lower than this time last year]( — remains top of mind for many parents. But that means [everyone is angling for a bargain]( and looking early. - What can Massachusetts learn from New Jersey? How about a climate change curriculum requirement, writes Sabine von Mering. In [this Cognoscenti essay]( von Mering argues that schools, even in Massachusetts, aren't preparing kids to live on a warming planet.  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - Where Does New York City Office Furniture Go When No One Wants It? ([The New York Times]( - House of the Seven Gables races to preserve its story before it's lost to climate change ([GBH News]( - Just What Is Marty Walsh up to, Anyway? ([Boston Magazine](  Tell Me Something Good [Fenway preps for pickleball to take center field this week]( Pickleball courts were laid out in Fenway Park on Tuesday in preparation for a weekend that will give fans of the fast-growing sport a chance to watch the pros play or even give it a try themselves in the historic park's outfield. [Read more.]( [Fenway preps for pickleball to take center field this week]( Pickleball courts were laid out in Fenway Park on Tuesday in preparation for a weekend that will give fans of the fast-growing sport a chance to watch the pros play or even give it a try themselves in the historic park's outfield. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common walks us through [the major factors contributing to all the recent public beach closures](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: I can't stop staring at [SoWa's new sculptures](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.