Alaska took a significant step toward potential drug reform as officials certified a psychedelic ballot initiative seeking voter approval in 2026. Lt Gov Nancy Dahlstrom confirmed last Thursday that she approved a proposed statewide measure allowing organizers to begin required signatures immediately.
The Alaska Natural Medicine Act initiative is sponsored by a nonprofit group, Natural Medicine Alaska, which advocates for regulated psychedelic access. This act proposes decriminalizing the personal use of specific natural psychedelics for adults over 21 while establishing a supervised therapeutic framework.
Supporters say the measure would regulate substances including psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, excluding peyote and dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT, under state oversight. In a statement, Natural Medicine Alaska argued these medicines could help treat PTSD, addiction, and depression, especially among veterans and indigenous communities.
The group emphasized the importance of providing safe access, saying Alaskans deserve the chance to heal using natural treatments backed by professionals. Psychologist Dr. Tami Lubitsh-White explained that psychedelics can ease trauma, anxiety, and depression symptoms when administered under proper medical guidance and supervision.
She added that professionals must guide patients responsibly, warning them that misuse could cause harm, much like handling a sharp and dangerous knife. Opponents have expressed concerns that psychedelic legalization could fuel black markets or act as a gateway to more dangerous drug use.
Still, backers modeled the proposal after Colorado’s 2022 initiative, which successfully legalized psychedelics, followed earlier by Oregon’s pioneering statewide measure. If passed, Alaska would become the third state to regulate psychedelic substances, joining Colorado and Oregon formally.
