The Northampton City Council passed the resolution, which also states that no government or police funds should be used to enforce laws criminalizing people for using or possessing entheogenic plants and fungi. Another Massachusetts city has approved a measure to deprioritize enforcement of laws against the possession, use and distribution of a wide range of psychedelics such as psilocybin and ayahuasca.The vote on Thursday was unanimous, 8-0, and it makes Northampton the third city in the state to enact the reform. Somerville and Cambridge have also moved to effectively decriminalize psychedelics
Further, the measure calls on Hampshire County District Attorney to “cease prosecution of persons involved in the use, possession, or distribution of entheogenic plants and the use or possession without the intent to distribute of any controlled substance.”
This resolution also expresses the Council’s support for two bills recently introduced in the state legislature. One would remove criminal penalties for possession of all currently illicit drugs and the other would establish a task force to study entheogenic substances with the eventual goal of legalizing and regulating the them. It’s not within the council’s powers to outright decriminalize certain drugs. The language of the resolution urges city agencies, boards, commissions and employees, including Northampton Police Department personnel, not to use any municipal funds or resources to help with the enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties for the use and possession of entheogenic plants. In a Statement,
City Council President Gina-Louise Sciarra said she was proud to support the resolution, noting that although it’s non-binding, she’s hopeful the council’s “voices will help spur a radical shift in our approach to drug use.”