Ann Arbor is 3rd U.S. City to Decriminalized Entheogens

Ann Arbor’s City Council unanimously passed the resolution after a campaign organized by Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor, which had support from the board of directors of Decriminalize Nature. The resolution is adapted from the Decriminalize Nature resolution that passed in Oakland in 2019 and follows a trend of decriminalizing psychedelic substances for breakthrough therapy treatments focused on treating mental and emotional health issues.

This resolution, passed on September 21, making it Ann Arbors lowest priority to investigate and arrest anyone for possessing, distributing, cultivating, transporting, or engaging in practices with entheogenic plants or plant compounds. Prosecutor Eli Savit said in a statement, “I support the decriminalization of entheogenic plants. I believe the War on Drugs has been an abject failure, and I see no reason to criminalize–or prosecute–people for their use of such plants. That was my position before the Ann Arbor City Council resolution, and it’s true with even greater force afterwards.” Eli Savit supports the decriminalization of all entheogenic plants and does not plan to prosecute the use or possession of entheogenic plants in any other part of the county. This declaration from the Washtenaw prosecutor will make Ann Arbor the leading city to embrace the move to legalize all natural entheogenic plant medicines including Psilocybin, for breakthrough therapy treatments.

The executive director of DNA², Julie Barron, emphasizes that the unanimous vote was the result of an organized, supported effort by the group Michigan Psychedelic Society, and with the help of Decriminalize Nature co-founders Carlos Plazola and Larry Norris , as well as the Ann Arbor City Council member Anne Bannister, that sponsored the legislation. Norris states, “Now they have the wisdom of how this process works and can help become a regional center in the county and in Michigan, empowering local leaders themselves to support the Decriminalize Nature process.” Norris also points out “Ann Arbor was one of the first places to decriminalize cannabis with the $5 fine. It makes sense for them to be on the right side of history here.” An effective 6-month education campaign drafted by the Michigan Psychedelic Society with the help of Decriminalize Nature founders , sealed the deal when persuading Council member Jane Lumm, who had been highly critical of the resolution. Bannister has concerns and wants to address the resolution because, “They took one very important thing out at the last minute,” notes Barron, explaining that the resolution no longer includes a statement that no city funds will be used for the arrest and prosecution of people with psychedelics. Bannister has sent an amendment about the city retaining the power to have discretion if need be and also recognizes the need to look into some of the legislation’s “loose ends,” as she terms them, while noting that half of the Council members are preparing to transition out of their seats.