MA City Council Unanimously Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms, Sixth In State So Far

The Salem City Council unanimously passed a measure decriminalizing adult use of psilocybin mushrooms on Thursday, May 11. 

Sponsored by Ward 7 Councilor Andy Varela and endorsed by Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, pharmacologist Miyabe Shields and Police Chief Lucas Miller among others, the resolution was discussed in two public health meetings with the participation of doctors, therapists, law enforcement and the general public.

Supporters highlighted psilocybin’s non-addictive properties and benefits in helping to curb the opioid epidemic as well as the police chief’s decision to tackle the health issue with his public posture was critical to people like Ward 4 Councilor Leveille McClain.

“We owe it to our residents to provide a safe, reasonable, and practical way to access plant medicines,” Varela said. “To deprioritize psilocybin is the next step to making sure our health care professionals have another tool in their toolbox.”

Bay Staters' co-founder James David agreed: “Our communities deserve access to these plant medicines. From parents to veterans to law enforcement, many different types of people are working through trauma with these gifts of nature. They are becoming more conscientious and compassionate versions of themselves.”

The resolution calls on the Essex County district attorney to deprioritize the prosecution of people using psychedelic-assisted therapeutic services, possession, sharing or cultivation of psilocybin-containing fungi without the intent to distribute.

Further, it maintains adult investigation and arrests for using or possessing psilocybin mushrooms as the city’s lowest law enforcement priority. It states that no city department, board or agency should use city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties for the adult use and possession of the psychedelic.

Once effective, the resolution will not authorize or enable commercial sales or manufacturing of psilocybin mushrooms nor “possessing or distributing these materials on school grounds, driving under the influence of these materials, or public disturbance.”

The decision makes Salem the sixth locality in Massachusetts where psilocybin-related activities will receive low-level enforcement, noted by Psychedelic Spotlight.

Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by Good Luck images and CannabisPic on Shutterstock.