Eureka council to discuss resolution decriminalizing psychedelicsBy SAGE ALEXANDER, salexander@times-standard.com
PUBLISHED in the Times-Standard October 4, 2023A group advocating for the decriminalization of certain psychedelic plants and fungi has prompted the Eureka City Council to discuss the issue at its next meeting. Advocates from Decriminalize Nature Humboldt have attended recent Eureka council meetings to get a resolution passed.
The resolution, if passed, would place the enforcement of possession of entheogens at the lowest priority for local law enforcement. Entheogens include ayahuasca and psilocybin mushrooms.
Camryn Hanf, organizer for Decriminalize Nature Humboldt, presented a stack of letters during public comment, saying the group has collected a total of 668 letters now submitted to the city from community members in support of a resolution. Later in the meeting, G. Mario Fernandez asked for the resolution to be brought up at the next council meeting, with thumbs up all around.
While Danielle Daniel, lead organizer for the group, said she doesn’t think busting people for possession of mushrooms is a high priority for Eureka law enforcement right now, she said the resolution is important for people to feel safe using the substances to treat mental health issues without fear of losing jobs, credibility or being arrested.
Selling the psychedelics would remain illegal, noted Daniel. She said the goal is more in line to allow community healing to treat mental health, especially in Humboldt County, which sees high rates of suicide, addiction and childhood trauma.
She said Fernandez asked the group to organize a round table discussion with community members, held in late September. It was intended for people to express concerns and get more input on the matter, with an invitation extended to police. Two Eureka council members came to the meeting but representatives from Eureka police reportedly did not.
“We advertised this opportunity for community members to come ask questions about, to show support for and express any concerns about our proposed resolution,” said Hanf during public comment.
The council previously voted in support of a more expansive decriminalization proposal, SB 58, which has passed both chambers of the Legislature and is awaiting signature on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. The bill removes criminal penalties for the personal possession and use of a number of psychedelics, including mushrooms, DMT and mescaline. The bill also involves a pathway for the crafting of policy on therapeutic uses of psychedelics and make legal the cultivation, transfer, or transportation, of any spores or mycelium capable of producing mushrooms.
Daniel said the state Senate bill has limitations and local decriminalization is important, especially because Newsom might not sign it.
Decriminalize Nature Humboldt was instrumental in a similar resolution passed in Arcata in 2021, which deprioritized law enforcement placing criminal penalties on the consumption and possession of a number of psychedelic substances. This resolution included a 21-and-up age restriction.
Daniel said this resolution has opened the opportunity to do community workshops, microdoses and events in Arcata.
“More people are growing tired of being on pharmaceuticals,” she added.
Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504