On November 2, Detroit voters turned out to overwhelmingly approve of Proposition E. This proposition will “decriminalize to the fullest extent permitted under Michigan law the personal possession and therapeutic use of Entheogenic Plants by adults.” This will make psychedelic possession the lowest priority for the city’s police and law enforcement officers. 

Because 2021 is not a presidential election year or a midway election year, the turnout was expected to be low. Only 22 percent of voters turned out for the election. However, those who did overwhelmingly voted in favor of Proposition E. 61 percent voted in favor of decriminalization while 39 percent voted against. 

Though there wasn’t a huge turnout, the decriminalization proposition still goes into effect. Activists and groups took to social media to celebrate, including Decriminalize Nature Michigan, who spearheaded the proposition. There are now three cities, including Detroit, in Michigan that have fully decriminalized the possession of psychedelics. Grand Rapids decriminalized psychedelic possession in October, while Ann Arbor decriminalized psychedelics in September 2020. 

Finally, Michigan lawmakers are currently discussing a bill which could decriminalize psychedelic possession and cultivation across the state. SB 631 would decriminalize possessing, cultivating, and delivering of plant and fungus-derived psychedelics. Those included in the bill are DMT, ibogaine, mescaline, psilocybin, and psilocyn. 

Additional Efforts

Michigan isn’t the only state which is moving psychedelic possession decriminalization forward. Earlier this year the California Senate passed a possession decriminalization bill which would apply for the whole state. However, the General Assembly pushed discussion of the bill until January 2022. Three cities in California have decriminalized psychedelic possession ahead of the legislative bill: Oakland, Santa Cruz, with Arcata recently joined the trio. 

Massachusetts lawmakers are looking into creating a Psychedelic Legalization Task Force to look into the potential of legalizing psychedelic possession in the state. Additionally, four cities in the state have decriminalized psychedelic possession: Northampton,Somerville, Cambridge, and most recently Easthampton. 

Finally, Washington State has made some advances in larger cities. Seattle’s City Council unanimously voted to decriminalize psychedelics with Spokane’s city council discussing the same issue. As more information becomes available about psychedelics across the country.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.