Storm Forecast | Sierra Snowpack | Psychedelic Treatments

KCRA’s Chief Meteorologist provides a forecast of the next major winter storm in Northern California.  A series of winter storms is boosting the snowpack in the Sierra. The benefits and risks of psychedelic treatment and how a proposed bill could reduce the stigma associated with mental health treatments.  

Storm forcast

We have all been warned. The weather system winding up off the coast of California is a big one and it’s here.  Lots of rain, and most concerning, very strong winds. Power outages are likely and roadway flooding, like the kind the region saw on New Year's Eve weekend, is also likely. This as cleanup crews still catching up from a weekend that brought several inches of rain throughout Northern California, along with downed power lines and fallen trees in the Valley – and in the Sierra, first a drenching rain followed by lots and lots of snow. KCRA Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan joined Insight to provide the timing and severity of the storm and how listeners should be best prepared. 

Sierra snowpack

The most recent and powerful winter storms have dumped much needed in the Sierra. Last weekend’s storm alone dropped at least two to four feet of snow throughout the high country, and On January 3rd state scientists reported our snowpack at 174% of normal for this time of year, making it one of best starts in four decades. But as we learned last year those conditions can change very quickly. To put this season’s impressive snowfall into context and share why the state isn’t out of its historic drought quite yet, Insight spoke with Andrew Schwartz, Lead Scientist, and Manager of the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. 

Psychedelic treatments

From docuseries to books, scientific research, and clinical trials the healing potential of psychedelics is gaining the mainstream spotlight. Drugs like psilocybin (which is found in magic mushrooms) are being explored as treatments for disorders from PTSD, depression, anxiety, as well as addiction.  In recent years, this has included legislation.  From Oregon to Colorado and Washington D.C., laws surrounding the use of psychedelics have been loosened, decriminalized, or even legalized in a supervised setting. And more conservative states like Texas and Utah are moving forward with investigating the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. A conversation is also taking place at California’s State Capitol.  Senate Bill 58 sponsored by Senator Scott Weiner of San Francisco would decriminalize some psychedelic drugs. A similar bill proposed by Sen. Weiner last year stalled. This legislation has the backing of some physicians and even combat veterans, claiming that psychedelics have the potential to heal trauma. But the bill is once again seeing pushback from law enforcement groups who claim decriminalization will lead to more crime and that the lasting health impacts of these drugs are still largely unknown. Today Insight took some time to better understand the benefits and risks by speaking with Dr. Janis Phelps, Director of the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.