The May 12 article on psychedelics perpetuated confusion about the difference between local de facto decriminalization and legalization. Let me clarify. Prosecuting Attorney James Kennedy’s reframing of our request to decriminalize natural entheogens as a request to legalize them is a disingenuous way to tell us what we are asking is not possible.
Port Townsend Psychedelic Society has never sought legalization at the local level; indeed, we have concerns that legalization might lead to commercial exploitation or regulations that limit access to entheogens.
Instead, our local decriminalization approach aims to protect equitable access (grow-gift-gather models) and community-based practices from any such regulatory frameworks.
De facto decriminalization is possible at the local level, and has been achieved in Oakland and Santa Cruz, California; Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton, Massachusetts; and Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, Michigan. If our city council and sheriff’s office redirect funding and make enforcement regarding entheogens a lowest priority, it can happen here, too.
Local decriminalization will gain further ground if Kennedy follows Washtenaw County in issuing an evidence based and common sense policy directive precluding prosecution of entheogenic plant possession, use, growth, and sharing. Cases concerning entheogens are already exceedingly rare — a testament to their safety given their abundant use in our community — so this would not have broad-reaching effects.
Regarding Kennedy’s need for a reasoned response regarding other drugs being excluded: entheogens are natural plants and fungi. They are non-addictive, have low potential for abuse, and offer high potential for healing as evidenced by ever-growing research, separating them from other narcotics and amphetamines.
We are asking our officials to support community members who engage with these plants for healing, self-exploration, and growth. In the meantime, we continue to develop community resources and education regarding safe and responsible use of entheogenic plants and fungi. To learn more, visit our website at http://www.porttownsendpsychedelicsociety.org.
Erin Reading
PORT TOWNSEND
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June 10, 2021 at 01:10AM
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Support the use of entheogenic plants | Letter to the editor - Port Townsend Leader
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