###
Arcata residents 21 and older may soon be free to embark on psychedelic trips without trip-to-the-police-department fears thanks to a new nonprofit named Decriminalize Nature Humboldt.
Stemming from a nationwide education campaign called Decriminalize Nature, the two-month-old local advocacy group hopes to push Arcata toward decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi. This would include the psychedelic drugs ibogaine (iboga shrub roots), dimethyltryptamine (ayahuasca), mescaline (cactus), psilocybin and psilocyn (magic mushrooms). The group posits that people seeking the medicinal benefits of entheogens should not be punished and that criminalization for using, possessing or sharing these drugs isnt productive anyway.
Decriminalize Nature Humboldt caught the attention of Arcata City Council Member Sarah Schaefer, who has agreed to introduce a resolution that would decriminalize entheogens within City limits.
Decriminalization is not legalization. If adopted, a resolution would simply establish that the investigation or arrest for cultivating, using or possessing entheogenic plants and fungi would become the lowest priority for the Arcata Police Department. Under current California law, the cultivation and possession of these substances is considered a misdemeanor and offenders can be subject to a fine and/or a jail sentence of up to one year.
(The sale of entheogenic plants and fungi is a felony deemed worthy of prison time. The decriminalization of selling entheogenic plants and fungi is not included in the scope of goals pursued by Decriminalize Nature Humboldt or their parent movement.)
Schaefer who during her campaign was approached by Arcatans interested in the decriminalization of psilocybin told the Outpost that a resolution would largely be about recognizing that this isnt something that should be demonized.
There are a lot of arguments for decriminalization. What seems to be the main argument in Arcata is the medicinal uses entheogens may provide for some people struggling with mental illnesses. People who want to use entheogens medicinally shouldnt have to worry about the law, Shaefer said. Its not just people that want to party.
For instance, administered through guided therapy trials, psilocybin and ayahuasca have been found to help improve moods long-term in patients struggling with severe depression. Other studies show that ibogaine helps kick opioid addiction.
I feel very dedicated to educating people on the medicinal qualities of these medicines helping people get the help they need to be happy, Danielle Daniel, lead organizer of Decriminalize Nature Humboldt, told the Outpost.
Daniel, who recently graduated from HSU with a masters in sociology, did a senior thesis on 18 people who have taken psilocybin mushrooms long-term. One of the main things that I found in the research was that even when people would take mushrooms for [recreational purposes] over medicinal, it made people better humans, Daniel said. People would stop lying, or they would stop littering, or they would just be more connected to nature, which is awesome. And that is what we need right now more connection with nature.
Picking up long-lasting and positive habits like increased care for nature or a decrease in criminal behavior after using entheogens has also been suggested by a few studies.
Another argument for decriminalizing entheogens is that the status quo of criminalizing drug users in general is counterproductive, expensive and inequitable.
Decriminalization of plant and fungi medicines in Arcata is the first step to right the wrong of the failed drug war. Nixons war was based on disrupting and arresting members in the civil rights group and anti-war group, not to protect people from substances and those who take them. The decision was based on politics, not science, Daniel said in a Decriminalize Nature Humboldt press release, which also noted that with a resolution, funds currently used for entheogen-related arrests could be redirected to other areas.
Meanwhile with medicinal uses in mind California lawmakers are also looking to smush the war on drugs with Senate Bill 519, which would decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi as well as other hallucinogens, like LSD and ecstasy, across the state. Oregon is the only state that has decriminalized psychedelics (actually, all drugs, in small quantities), and has legalized entheogens for medical purposes.
California State Senator Scott Wiener, SB 519s author, argues that the war on drugs has criminalized addiction and has helped create a system of racist mass incarceration. Weve been trying to arrest our way and incarcerate our way out of drug use for more than 50 years. Its been a complete failure. It doesnt work, Wiener said in an interview with ABC10.
SB 519 was approved by the California State Senate last month and is now moving its way through the Assembly. Shaefer noted that in addition to immediate local benefits of decriminalization in Arcata, passing the resolution would indicate support for SB 519 as the Assembly moves toward that decision.
Shaefer also mentioned that decriminalizing locally could potentially open doors for researching entheogenic plants and fungi at Humboldt State University.
Oakland became the first city in California to decriminalize entheogens in 2019, and Santa Cruz followed soon after. If the resolution passes in Arcata, Decriminalize Nature Humboldt will look into whether other Humbodlt cities are interested in decriminalization, too.
It really has to do with the community, Daniel said. If I get involved in the community in Eureka and people are receptive, I would love to do that.
Why might a city not be interested? The main concerns people have about decriminalizing entheogenic plants are addiction risk and underage use, but both of those worries are kind of moot, Daniel said. Though healing, the experience is also exhausting, so most people dont want to use entheogens every day, Daniel said, plus, most people develop a quick tolerance. On top of that, studies indicate that entheogens are a useful treatment for kicking addictions, not developing them.
And in regard to the underage concern, this resolution would apply only to people over 21.
Some concerns about SB 519 include safety issues, like people accidentally picking and consuming poisonous mushrooms or driving during a trip. State and local decriminalization efforts are aimed to increase access for people seeking the medical benefits of entheogens, but would also allow recreational use, which some legislatures argue is unnecessary. One opponent of SB 519 is the Peace Officers Research Association of California, which fears decriminalization in California would increase drug dealing and crime.
Decriminalize Nature Humboldt will be tabling at every Arcata Farmers Market in July, where they will distribute information about entheogens, how to use them medicinally and what decriminalization rather than legalization means. The group has apetitionthat has so far collected 25 signatures.
Follow this link:
- Vermont Senate Passes Psychedelic Working Group Bill To Study How Entheogens Might Benefit Physical And Mental ... - Marijuana Moment - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- Melissa Etheridge's New Book and Play Delve Into Her Son's Opioid ... - CelebStoner - October 29th, 2023 [October 29th, 2023]
- Walking the poison path: An interview with Coby Michael - The Wild Hunt - October 29th, 2023 [October 29th, 2023]
- Entheogenic drugs and the archaeological record - Wikipedia - April 14th, 2023 [April 14th, 2023]
- Learn All About The Top 10 Entheogens - Zamnesia Blog - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Entheogens and Psychedelics (including Ayahuasca, LSD, Peyote ... - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Terence McKenna - Wikipedia - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- Enlightenment (spiritual) - Wikipedia - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Shamanism - Wikipedia - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- The History Of: Hallucinogens, Psychedelics & Entheogens - August 25th, 2022 [August 25th, 2022]
- How Does Sound Therapy Enhance the Psychedelic Experience? - Psychedelic Spotlight - July 31st, 2022 [July 31st, 2022]
- Could we please have some consistency in our drug laws - Mail and Guardian - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Filament Health and Jaguar Health Sign Letter of Intent to Develop Botanical Prescription Drugs for Specific Mental Health Indications - Yahoo Canada... - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- 5 Next-Generation Psychedelics Entering Clinical Trials This Year - Psychedelic Spotlight - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Mental Health Startup Journey Colab Aims To Develop Mescaline As An FDA-Approved Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder - Forbes - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Breaking down the decrim movement: Discoveries, doubts and personal ins & outs - Aspen Daily News - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Aztec use of entheogens - Wikipedia - March 29th, 2022 [March 29th, 2022]
- The Michigan Decriminalization of Psilocybin Mushrooms and Other Plants and Fungi Initiative Has Been Approved For Circulation As A Ballot Initiative... - February 24th, 2022 [February 24th, 2022]
- 5 Black Pioneers Combatting the Whitewashing of Psychedelics - Psychedelic Spotlight - February 17th, 2022 [February 17th, 2022]
- From Mycophobia to Mycophilia - The McGill Daily - The McGill Daily - February 17th, 2022 [February 17th, 2022]
- Entheogens and Plant Medicine: An Introduction Microdose - Microdose Psychedelic Insights - February 9th, 2022 [February 9th, 2022]
- Schumer Gives Update On Federal Marijuana Legalization And Banking In Meeting With Equity Advocates - Marijuana Moment - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- USDA Teams Up With Cornell University For Hemp Education Webinar Series - Marijuana Moment - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Ohio Lawmakers Will Be Forced To Consider Marijuana Legalization As State Validates Activist Signatures - Marijuana Moment - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Psilocybin: Following in the Footsteps of Cannabis Along the Path to Legality - JD Supra - January 29th, 2022 [January 29th, 2022]
- What ketamine therapy taught me about my Jewish intergenerational trauma - Forward - January 29th, 2022 [January 29th, 2022]
- Debunking Myths and Misconceptions of the Psychedelics Industry - Rolling Stone - January 9th, 2022 [January 9th, 2022]
- What are you most excited for in Washtenaw County in 2022? - Concentrate - December 15th, 2021 [December 15th, 2021]
- Looking Into The Florida Bill That Proposes Decriminalization Of Psychedelics (And Every Other Illegal Dr - Benzinga - December 15th, 2021 [December 15th, 2021]
- The Wisdom of Agnosticism - The Humanist - December 15th, 2021 [December 15th, 2021]
- What Are Psychedelic Drugs (Hallucinogenics)? | Leafly - November 28th, 2021 [November 28th, 2021]
- Cannabis & Marijuana Education: Learn All About Weed | Leafly - November 28th, 2021 [November 28th, 2021]
- Vex - Destinypedia, the Destiny wiki - November 11th, 2021 [November 11th, 2021]
- Seattle City Council wants to decriminalize 'magic ... - November 11th, 2021 [November 11th, 2021]
- Tonight at 11: The unseen side of magic mushrooms, from moms to home growers - KIRO Seattle - November 11th, 2021 [November 11th, 2021]
- Guide to Entheogens: Plants, Therapy, Medicine - October 30th, 2021 [October 30th, 2021]
- What are entheogens and which are the best ones - October 30th, 2021 [October 30th, 2021]
- An upcoming election, pay requirement, and holiday, this week - KUOW News and Information - October 30th, 2021 [October 30th, 2021]
- Congressman Says He'll Bring The Psychedelics Reform Movement To Capitol Hill 'This Year' - Marijuana Moment - October 7th, 2021 [October 7th, 2021]
- From Cannabis MSO To Drug Development: Goodness Growth Wants To Understand Traditional Psychedelics Use - - Benzinga - September 16th, 2021 [September 16th, 2021]
- Jarvis Brookfield on his psychedelic paintings, dream-like states and what it means to be human - Creative Boom - September 12th, 2021 [September 12th, 2021]
- Oregon Psilocybin Panel Teams Up With Harvard To Research Psychedelic History And Impacts Of Reform - Marijuana Moment - September 12th, 2021 [September 12th, 2021]
- National Hemp Association Asks Congress To Budget $1 Billion To Support Industry Innovation - Marijuana Moment - September 12th, 2021 [September 12th, 2021]
- Psychedelic Drug Therapy: Tips and Support for the Experience - Greatist - August 28th, 2021 [August 28th, 2021]
- University of Michigan police say safety will be top priority at psychedelic shroom festival - MLive.com - August 22nd, 2021 [August 22nd, 2021]
- Two Years After Oakland's Psychedelic Decrim, What's Been the Impact? - Filter - August 4th, 2021 [August 4th, 2021]
- Psychedelics Decriminalization Advancing In Three More Cities, Spanning From Coast To Coast - Marijuana Moment - August 4th, 2021 [August 4th, 2021]
- Witch City Tarot & Divination Gathering | Coby Michael Ward - Patheos - July 29th, 2021 [July 29th, 2021]
- Group Hopes to Decriminalize Entheogens (Psychoactive Plant Substances) Within Arcata City Limits Redheaded Blackbelt - Redheaded Blackbelt - July 5th, 2021 [July 5th, 2021]
- Winners of Columbia@Roundabout's 2021 New Play Reading Series Announced - Broadway World - June 24th, 2021 [June 24th, 2021]
- Biden said he'd cut down on unemployment benefits, but he really might reinstate a pre-pandemic job-seeking policy The Madison Leader Gazette - The... - May 11th, 2021 [May 11th, 2021]
- The psychedelic revolution is coming. Psychiatry may never be the same - bdnews24.com - May 11th, 2021 [May 11th, 2021]
- Native Tribes Should Have More Say in the Psychedelic Movement - Green Entrepreneur - April 29th, 2021 [April 29th, 2021]
- Red Light Holland and Headland West Indies Lead #SVGStrong, a Relief Effort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines - InvestorIntel - April 29th, 2021 [April 29th, 2021]
- Jews, Christians, and Muslims Are Reclaiming Ancient Psychedelic Practices, And That Could Help With Legalization - Rolling Stone - April 25th, 2021 [April 25th, 2021]
- Psychedelic Experience launches new website to help navigate the world of psychedelics - PRNewswire - April 25th, 2021 [April 25th, 2021]
- Zide Door Oaklands Church of Entheogenic Plants - April 15th, 2021 [April 15th, 2021]
- Opinion | Is it time for Seattle to decriminalize shrooms and psychedelics? - Crosscut - April 15th, 2021 [April 15th, 2021]
- Following Local Successes, Cambridge State Rep. Puts Forward Bills on Controlled Substance Reform | News - Harvard Crimson - March 29th, 2021 [March 29th, 2021]
- The Potential (and Peril) of Legalizing Psychedelics - Progressive.org - January 1st, 2021 [January 1st, 2021]
- Oakland continues move to protect entheogen plants - The Leaf Online - September 18th, 2020 [September 18th, 2020]
- The Only Obstacle To A Healthy World Is Government Secrecy And Propaganda - Scoop.co.nz - July 21st, 2020 [July 21st, 2020]
- There's More to the CHOP Than What the Media Will Have You Believe - Study Breaks - July 21st, 2020 [July 21st, 2020]
- Entheogens | Sacred Geometry - June 15th, 2020 [June 15th, 2020]
- Entheogen - Wikipedia - May 4th, 2020 [May 4th, 2020]
- The Return Trip: Psychedelics may come back from the abyss of illegality - Valley Advocate - November 23rd, 2019 [November 23rd, 2019]
- How San Francisco's Summer of Love sparked religious movements - The Oakland Press - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- Outside the Box - HuffPost - August 13th, 2017 [August 13th, 2017]
- 'Summer of Love' shaped American lives, spiritual expression - Houston Chronicle - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- The Summer of Love was more than hippies and LSD it was the start of modern individualism - The Independent - July 24th, 2017 [July 24th, 2017]
- How San Francisco's Summer of Love sparked today's religious movements - Religion News Service - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- The Poisoner: Pharmakos and Veneficus-Poisoner's Apothecary - Patheos (blog) - July 19th, 2017 [July 19th, 2017]
- The Summer of Love was more than hippies and LSD it was the start of modern individualism - Metro Newspaper UK - July 8th, 2017 [July 8th, 2017]
- The Summer of Love was more than hippies and LSD it was the ... - The Conversation UK - July 7th, 2017 [July 7th, 2017]
- Entheogen - PsychonautWiki - July 1st, 2017 [July 1st, 2017]
- The History and Possibilities of Putting Weed in Your Witchcraft - Seattle Weekly - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- Entheogens : Al-Kemi : spagyrics and alchemy - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Takes Consciousness Research into Mystic Realms of the Divine Play - The Sociable - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Entheogen - June 15th, 2017 [June 15th, 2017]
- Entheogens | Drug War Facts - June 5th, 2017 [June 5th, 2017]