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Grand Rapids Passes Psychedelic Decriminalization Proposal

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Grand Rapids Passes Psychedelic Decriminalization Proposal

The Grand Rapids City Council passed a proposal calling for psychedelic decriminalization on September 28. They reached a final vote of 5-2 in favor.

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

The proposal reads: “Those seeking to improve their health and well-being through the use of Entheogenic Plants and Fungi should have the freedom to explore these healing methods without risks of arrest and prosecution.”

Additionally, the proposal addressed the support the city has for legislative efforts on other levels to decriminalize compounds listed on the Federal Controlled Substances Schedule.

Activist group Decriminalize Nature coined the concept “grow, gift, gather.” They seek to destigmatize and decriminalize psychedelic plants and fungi nationwide. It demonstrates what many believe already happens in the city. Residents grow their own plants, gift them to others, and gather together to experience the overall sensation. Now, all of that is legal. However, any selling of the plants and fungi remains criminal.

Other Cities

Grand Rapids isn’t the only city in Michigan working towards psychedelic reform. Ann Arbor decriminalized psychedelics in the summer of 2020. Since then, the city declared September as Psychedelic Awareness Month. They even held a psychedelic entertainment concert to celebrate. 

Several cities in both Massachusetts and California also decriminalized psychedelics within their city limits. Massachusetts lawmakers are currently debating if the state should create a psychedelic task force. This task force would study the potential benefits of legalizing psychedelics and how it would look for the state. Additionally, California lawmakers look to pass a psychedelic possession bill. However, it won’t receive a hearing until January 2022 at the earliest. 

Psychedelics seem to be as talked about as cannabis is and was a few years ago. Experts think psychedelics could reach the same point cannabis is at currently. 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