I am writing in response to the arguments presented in the excellent article on Ballot Question 4 [“Question 4: A new chapter for psychedelics?” Recorder, Oct. 21].

The supporters of the legalization of psychedelic drugs seem to have forgotten the near-fatal accident that took place on Oct. 22, 2023, when an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph D. Emerson, tried to shut off the airplane’s engines during a San Francisco-bound flight, nearly killing everyone on board. He had taken psilocybin before the flight. He was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder. There may be various opinions about the therapeutic value of psychedelic drugs, but there is a general agreement that they may strongly destabilize someone fragile or vulnerable, the very kind of person Question 4 claims to help.

I am deeply disturbed by the fact that the supporters of Question 4 have not done enough research on the medical consequences of taking psychedelic mushrooms, nor on the ways such use may impact the safety of others. I invite them to go back to the medical articles that followed this serious event and to reflect on the consequences of their votes. I am certain many supporters of Question 4 are anxious to be helpful, but I am afraid they are tragically misguided.

Marie Huet

Whately