Minneapolis, MN Mayor Decrees Psychedelics Be Among Lowest Law Enforcement Priorities: 'We Should Be In The Business Of Helping People'

In a baldly unilateral move, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) has delivered on his promise and signed an executive order effectively de-prioritizing criminal prosecution for possession, use, purchase, cultivation and engaging in practices with “entheogenic plants or plant compounds” this July 21. 

The order also averts the use of local resources in support of federal and state actions against the substances “unless required by law.” 

The edict only applies to “natural” substances and excludes any synthetic ones. Moreover, it doesn’t refer to them as “psychedelics” but instead as “naturally-occurring psychoactive compounds” or “entheogens.”

According to The New York Times who first reported the news, this is Frey’s first executive order of the year. He acknowledges some residents might oppose a tune down of drug law enforcement, but still stands by his decision.

“We have a mass proliferation of deaths of despair,” referring to the national high suicide and opioid abuse rates. “This is something that is known to help.”

The Mayor will count on the city’s police chief support, who stated his alignment with the new order and said he will direct officers to follow the new proposed law enforcement scheme while also ensuring residents' and the community’s safety, spotted Marijuana Moment.

“I recognize that many of our community members see benefits in using these natural substances for health or religious purposes, and… Mayor Frey has directed the Minneapolis Police Department to join agencies nationwide in continuing to deemphasize law enforcement activities related to use of entheogenic plants,” said chief Brian O’Hara.

Frey says the science on entheogens’ benefits points in a single direction, and that the city’s rise in deaths could be treated with this “remedy”. 

“Experts are telling us that these plants help people, and that’s the business we should be in—helping people,” he stated. “That’s the message I hope this executive order sends elsewhere.”

Nonetheless, it clarifies that it does not prohibit the exercise of prosecutorial discretion or legalize any unlawful activities related to entheogens. 

It also does not authorize or enable, or apply to the enforcement or prosecution in the cases of commercial sales or manufacturing of psychedelic plants and fungi; possession or distribution in schools; driving, operating or controlling a motor vehicle or possessing a weapon while under their influence; or the commission of any public disturbance.

Drug reform is indeed extending in Minnesota with bipartisan support, and considering Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) recent enactment of a proposal calling for a new psychedelics task force toward potential statewide legalization and another one implementing cannabis legalization. 

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