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On June 4, Oakland decriminalized magic mushrooms and other entheogenic plants after more than 30 persons testified and shared how psychedelics have helped them overcome depression, anxiety, drug addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are naturally occurring mushrooms taken for their hallucinogenic effects. The specific effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person but often include feelings of euphoria and wellbeing, including changes in consciousness, mood, or perception. Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, smoked, dried, cooked, or brewed in tea.
Decriminalization of Mushrooms
Oakland passed the decriminalization resolution in a unanimous vote and will necessitate law enforcement to end any and all investigations surrounding the use or possession of plant-sourced drugs as well as fungi, cacti, the iboga plant and mushrooms that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin.
Though LSD, MDMA, and other synthetic drugs are not included. The decriminalization is expected to allow law enforcement to focus on more grave, high-priority crime. Many of the people who testified and supported the measure said that they struggled with addiction and emotional pain for decades before trying hallucinogens.
Entheogenic plant consumption is not new. Naturally-occurring drugs — as well as mushrooms and cacti — were used for thousands of years to help battle psychiatric imbalances. Most cultures consider practices with entheogenic plants to be sacred to human interrelationships.
Not all who testified were in support of decriminalization nevertheless. Some felt that Oakland should wait to see what occurs in Denver first. Others were worried about the use of psychedelics in schools and among teens.
Local lawmakers are working to establish regulations to control how the substance is used and what potential dangers are involved. A year from now, city administrators will meet again to provide City Council an assessment of how the law affected the community.
Currently, city councilman Noel Gallo, who presented the resolution, said that there are no plans to sell the hallucinogens.
“Since DNO believes entheogens should not be commodified, there will be no sales of entheogenic plants and fungi, and we will work closely with local communities to share resources,” Gallo wrote in a report to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.
Instead, they will be shared in collectives, so there is room to have an experience. Individuals in hospice or who are unable to leave their homes can also come to visit.
As of early May, mushrooms are decriminalized in Denver for persons 21 and older. Oregon and Iowa are presently working to introduce mushroom bill legislation. Last year, California voters were unsuccessful in getting the same measure on the ballot.
Get Started Today!
Despite this substance being legalized, it still has a huge potential to be abused and can lead to addiction. In case you have fallen victim or a loved one has, contact the United Recovery Project for help with detox, treatment and rehabilitation. The program is designed to help patients go through a safe, medically assisted detox, teach them to adopt and maintain sobriety, and finally ensure they don’t relapse by joining our alumni programs. We provide a string of services such as inpatient recovery programs, partial hospitalization, and outpatient programs. Our evidence-based programs aim to heal patients both physically and emotionally. We are confident we can help rehabilitate you or your loved one.