In Hazel City, Michigan, the City Council unanimously decriminalized psychedelics at their recent council meeting. Specifically, the approved measure would make planting, cultivation, purchasing, transporting, distributing, and possessing any parts of entheogenic plants and fungi the lowest priority for local law enforcement.
This measure came from Councilmember Luke Londo, with the support of Decriminalize Nature Michigan. After introducing the measure, Londo took to Twitter to express the importance of decriminalizing psychedelics. “I’m more than just a proponent, I’m a consumer,” Londo explained. “I’ve long suffered from depression and anxiety, and psilocybin has benefited me in ways that nothing else has come close to.
“My experience isn’t unique nor am I – other than being in a position to introduce this legislation,” Londo concluded.
Additional Cities
Hazel City isn’t the only city in Michigan that has decriminalized psychedelics. First was Ann Arbor in September 2020, followed by Detroit in November 2021. Both cities set the groundwork for Hazel City and Councilmember Londo’s approved decriminalization measure. Grand Rapids also hoped to decriminalize psychedelics. However the decriminalization measure changed to a push for reform within the city and statewide. No law enforcement measures were pushed, leaving psychedelics still criminalized in the city. Outside of Ann Arbor and Detroit, psychedelics remain criminalized
Some cities have gone above and beyond the call for decriminalization and acceptance of psychedelics within their communities. September is now Entheogenic Plants and Fungi Awareness Month in Ann Arbor. The city even hosted a Psychedelic Entertainment and Education festival in September 2021 to help educate the public and state lawmakers on what psychedelics can do for people.
Shortly before the Entertainment festival in Ann Arbor, two Michigan Senators filed SB 631 to legalize the possession, cultivation, and delivery of plant and fungus-derived psychedelics on the state level. The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary committee, waiting for debate, but with more and more cities in the state, Michigan lawmakers are taking a serious look at decriminalizing psychedelics across the state.
Future of Decriminalizing Psychedelics
Michigan isn’t the only state pushing for psychedelic decriminalization. California, Washington, and Massachusetts have also had cities push for decriminalization. While the country battles with THC legalization and rescheduling, some states which already offer legal THC are looking to the future of psychedelics. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.
Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.