Recently Grand Rapids City Commissioner Kurt Reppart announced that he plans to introduce a psychedelics decriminalization bill to the city council. For the Mighican city, this bill wouldn’t legalize possession, but make possession one of the lowest concerns for police. 

“This isn’t a decriminalization per say; it’s de-prioritization,” said Commissioner Reppart. “It’s allowing for what’s called the ‘grow, gift, gather’ model… outside of that, the rest of this is illegal.”

To clarify, the ‘grow, gift, gather’ model concept comes from Decriminalize Nature, who seek to destigmatize and decriminalize entheogenic (psychedelic) plants and fungi nationwide. It demonstrates what many believe is already happening in the city. Residents are growing their own plants, gifting them to others, and gathering together to experience the overall sensation. Now all of that would be legal. Conversely, any selling of the plant would remain criminal. 

Interview

The local chapter of Decriminalize Nature Grand Rapids (DNGR) spoke with local news reporters about the goal of this new bill from the city commissioner. 

“We are a movement that is fighting for the regular person to be able to heal themselves,” said Chad Beyer. He is a founder and board member of DNGR. “We’re not asking for a carte blanche where you can do anything with these medicines… decriminalization is really risk reduction because there are already many people in this city, as well as across the country, who are using these medicines.”

“These drugs are not addictive; you can’t overdose on them, so it just seems reasonable to look into cures using these,” said another founder and board member Mary Reed Kelly. “We’re asking that we try this and that we look into these resources and don’t just stick with what we’ve been doing, because obviously we haven’t gotten that right.”

Various recently published research articles focus on the beneficial potential psychedelics could have for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Right now, Grand Rapids holds one of the highest rates of depression in the country. In fact, upwards of a quarter of residents have become diagnosed. However, not everyone has access to treatment. It could be from a lack of funds, an expensive antidepressant medication, or potentially dangerous opioids. DNGR is hoping to establish psychedelics as an alternative to antidepressants and opioids.  

Future

Easily, lawmakers could discuss psychedelic decriminalization as early as this fall. Several other cities across the country continue to debate psychedelic decriminalization efforts, including Easthampton, Arcata, and Spokane. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest. 

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