A Michigan city approved a local resolution that would deprioritize the enforcement of laws against psychoactive substances. The city also expressed support for a state-wide bill to legalize etheogenic plants, fungi and mushrooms.
Ypsilanti City Council unanimously passed the psychedelics bill on Tuesday with a 6-0 vote.
According to the whereas section, psychedelics “can catalyze profound personal and spiritual experiences and have been proven by scientific and clinic studies and traditional practices as beneficial to health and well-being for individuals and communities” in order to address conditions like anxiety and posttraumatic stress.
The article also mentions that the Washtenaw County district attorney’s office has expressed its support for a resolution similar to that adopted in Ann Arbor, in 2020.
The latest measures explicitly state that they are not intended to legalize commercial sales of psychedelics. However, it states that arresting and investigating people for psychedelics related activities like possession and cultivation is “the lowest priority of law enforcement for the City of Ypsilanti.”
The city also states that “city funds and resources shall not used for any investigation, detention or arrest arising from alleged violations to state or federal laws regarding the use Entheogenic Plants.”
The City Council approved the resolution and expressed support for “the passing of SB 499.” This bill was introduced by Sen. Jeff Irwin in the state legislature. It would legalize psychedelic fungi and plants as long as they are not paid or receive any other value.
Ypsilanti joins the ranks of other Michigan municipalities that have decriminalized psychedelics. These include Detroit Ann Arbor Ferndale Hazel Park. Only Massachusetts saw more local authorities pass the reform.
However, not all Michigan cities that considered a decriminalization plan have implemented it. In May of last year, the East Lansing City Council narrowly defeated a similar resolution. The mayor and city attorney expressed concerns over possible legal ramifications.
Grand Rapids lawmakers will vote on a resolution in 2021 that supports the decriminalization of a variety of psychedelics . This measure disappointed activists, as it did not change city enforcement practices, but only expressed support for future reforms.
A group of activists in 2022 failed to qualify for ballot an legalization initiative . They said they would focus their efforts on 2024.
In August, Michigan legislators sent a letter to Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, urging them to prioritise research and investment into psychedelics as well as other “nontechnology treatment options” in order to address psychological trauma caused by military service.
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Massachusetts officials recently certified, outside of Michigan’s borders, that activists had submitted enough valid signatures to force legislative consideration of an initiative to legalize psychedelics . This could lead to the measure being placed on the 2024 ballot in the state.
A California Assembly Committee unanimously approved on Tuesday a revised bill that created a state working group to explore a regulatory framework for providing therapeutic access to psychedelics such as psilocybin or ibogaine.
Assemblymember Marie Waldron, the sponsor of this legislation, will be working alongside Sen. Scott Wiener on a separate therapeutic access to psychedelics bill. They plan to introduce within the next few weeks after California Governor. Gavin Newsom, a California Democrat, vetoed last year a measure that would have legalized marijuana on a larger scale.
New Jersey lawmakers file bills to allow marijuana home grow, Interstate commerce, banking protections, psilocybin legalization and more
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