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Oakland could decriminalize ‘magic mushrooms’
Oakland, California, could become the second city in the United States to decriminalize natural hallucinogenics, including “magic mushrooms,” according to a report.
A resolution that would instruct police to stop investigating and prosecuting people using the drugs is scheduled for a public hearing before the City Council’s public safety committee Tuesday night, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The measure, which could go before the full council as early as June 4, applies only to psychedelics derived from plants or fungi, not synthetic drugs like LSD or MDMA, also known as ecstasy, according to the newspaper.
Councilman Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution, said he hoped that decriminalizing natural psychedelics could help those suffering from mental health issues.
“We need all the help we can get to deal with the mental health issues that we have,” Gallo said. “If I can bring it publicly and talk about the benefit and talk about (how it can) deal with the mental illnesses that we have in the city, why not?”
The lawmaker said he decided to support the measure after being approached by Decriminalize Nature Oakland, a group promoting natural psychedelics for mental health and general well-being.
In Denver, voters earlier this month approved decriminalization of hallucinogenic mushrooms, while statewide initiatives are ongoing in California and Oregon.
The Oakland resolution would cover mushrooms containing psilocybin, as well as the psychedelic plants ayahuasca, cacti and iboga.
Matthew Johnson, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavior sciences at Johns Hopkins University, said he generally supports decriminalization efforts as a human rights issue.
It’s widely known that low-income people and communities of color are unfairly targeted by drug laws.
But he’s wary of full legalization and allowing access to psychedelics in the same way cannabis has been in some states.
“I don’t encourage the use of these things outside of structured settings like our research trials,” Johnson told the Chronicle. “Decriminalization is not the same thing as saying we encourage use and there are no risks.”
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