By Mina Corpuz • AUG. 25, 2017

California voters could decide whether the state should decriminalize the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms by adults in 2018. A ballot measure was filed Friday with the state Attorney General's office.

The measure would exempt adults 21 and older from penalties of possessing, selling, transporting, or cultivating psilocybins.

At least 365,880 valid signatures are needed to place the measure on the 2018 statewide ballot.

Kevin Saunders, a mayoral candidate in the town of Marina, near Monterey, is behind the push.

Saunders said using mushrooms helped him stop using heroin 15 years ago.

“I think we’re seeing something that could literally heal our brothers and sisters," he said. "We’re talking about real cutting-edge stuff."

Saunders said he hopes voters will be mature and have a serious, robust conversation about the use of mushrooms.

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