Minneapolis’ mayor has issued an executive directive that criminalizes possession, use and cultivating of psychedelics. This order prevents local resources from being utilized to support federal and state efforts against these substances. The chief of the police said he agrees with the mayor, and that officers will be directed accordingly.
The order was signed by Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday. It sent a clear message that the city did not believe substances such as psilocybin deserved to be criminalized.
It comes two months after Minnesota Governor. Tim Walz, a Democratic Representative from Minnesota, signed a bill which included provisions to create a task force to prepare for possible legalization.
The local executive order, on the other hand, is a reflection of language adopted by many cities in the U.S., which prioritizes enforcement against entheogenic drugs at a moment when interest has increased about their potential therapeutic value for serious mental conditions such as depression and addiction.
It is the first instance, however, where a mayor unilaterally implemented the reform.
In a press statement, Frey stated that “despite the stigma, the science behind entheogens points to one direction,” he said. Experts tell us that these plants are beneficial to people. That’s what we should do.
He said that the data shows these plants are a good remedy for the rising number of deaths from despair in our city and society. “I hope that this executive order will send a message to others.”
I applaud the leaders of the #mnleg for their study on how to legalize medicinal psychedelics. Experts say that psychedelics can be used to treat conditions such as chronic depression and anxiety.
Jacob Frey (@Jacob_Frey), July 21, 2023 HTML0
The New York Times was the first to report the order. It states that scientific and clinical studies have shown that psychedelic fungi and plants are beneficial for the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
While the executive order covers a wide range of psychedelics–“indole amines, tryptamines, and phenethylamines; including, but not limited to, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca tea, mescaline, and iboga”–it specifically excludes peyote “in order to respect and protect access to these sacred plant medicines of the Native America Church.”
The directive acknowledges the fact that many cities have already taken action, including Oakland and Detroit, Washington D.C. Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C.
Frey’s Order states that “the investigation of and arrests of persons who are engaged in practices involving Entheogenic Plants, plant compounds, or substances on the federal Schedule 1 List, shall be the lowest priority law enforcement for the City Minneapolis.”
It states that “unless required by law, city resources shall not be knowingly used in any investigation or detention arising from alleged violations state and federal laws for engaging in above-referenced activity,”
The directive concludes with the statement that “it does not prohibit or legalize the exercise of prosecutorial judgment or any unlawful activities related Entheogenic Plants. Nor does it enable or authorize, or apply to enforcement or prosecution, of any of the activities listed below: the commercial sale or manufacture of these plants or fungi; possessing or disseminating these materials in school; driving, operating, or being physically in control of a vehicle, or possessing an weapon while under influence of these materials;
Minneapolis Police Chief says he supports the Mayor’s decriminalization policy, despite the fact that some other law enforcement officials have opposed it.
Chief Brian O’Hara stated, “I understand that many members of our community see the benefits of using these natural substances, whether for religious or health reasons. With this Executive Order, Mayor Frey directed the Minneapolis Police Department, to join other agencies across the country in continuing to reduce law enforcement activities relating to use of entheogenic plant,” he said. “I support the mayor’s action and will make sure that the MPD maintains the safety of residents and the community.”
Jessica Nielson is an assistant professor and founding member of DecriMN Coalition at the University of Minnesota. She said this action was “an important step to undo the harms caused by the war on drug users, which targeted brown and black people.”
She said that “these natural medicines, and their use by Indigenous Peoples, predate any of the laws.” “The individual freedom over their own health and consciousness, as well as the community healing that occurs with these entheogens, is essential for a healthy community.”
Andrew Johnson, a councilmember from Minneapolis, said that deprioritization was “a great step and it is exciting to see Minneapolis as one of the leading cities calling on a commonsense strategy in light all the data.”
The state-level psychedelics committee, which is being formed in accordance with a new state law signed by Governor, will be responsible for providing advice to lawmakers on “the medical, legal, and policy questions associated with the legalization psychedelic medicines in the state.”
The state has also begun preparing for the implementation a marijuana legalization bill, which Walz signed back in May.
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