Nature Wins again as Somerville Massachusetts is one step closer to decriminalizing psychedelics including Magic Mushrooms, Ayahuasca, Peyote, and Iboga.
On January 14th Sommerville city council members listened as 2 brave people gave the testimony of their personal experiences and the therapeutic benefits from the use of these amazing hallucinogenics. Supported by the mayor and with a 9-0 vote , the Sommerville city council unanimously passed a resolution to make entheogenic natural substances such as psychedelic plants, fungi, cacti, and their hallucinogenic compounds including tryptamines, phenethylamines, and idole animes the lowest priority for local law enforcement. The resolution states that "No officer or employee of the city, including without limitation, Somerville Police Department personnel, should use any city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties for the use and possession of entheogenic plants by adults." The resolution does not allow for the commercial sale of psychedelics will not allow position or distribution in your schools and driving while under the influence will still be enforced. Members from Decriminalize Nature, Bay Stators for Natural Medicines, and the Heroic Hearts Project explained to lawmakers that "By decriminalizing psychedelic plants, Massachusetts can mainstream harm reduction strategies as therapists and health providers embrace these compounds for physical, psychological, and spiritual relief." The purpose of the resolution is to expand physical and spiritual therapy with the option to possess, cultivate and distribute all-natural medicines without the fear of being locked-up and to empower people to educate and medicate with these all-natural potentially life-changing substances. The next step is to gain enough co-sponsors to turn this resolution into a citywide ordinance.