Michigan state senators introduce bill to decriminalize psychedelics

By Maureen Meehan

Michigan Senators Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor and Adam Hollier, D-Detroit jointly sponsored and enacted a law last week that would decriminalize the use, possession, cultivation, and sale of psilocybin and mescaline would allow both types of psychedelics.

In an interview with Michigan Advance, Irwin claimed that psychedelics have multiple benefits and that a continued ban would be a waste of time and resources.

Photo by Merlin Lightpainting from Pexels

“These substances have medicinal value, they have religious significance, and they have very little tendency to abuse,” said Irwin. “So I suggest decriminalizing the substance because there really is no point in spending time or money arresting people and turning their lives upside down.”

Recent advances in decriminalization: Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution in September 2020 to decriminalize the use of psychedelics. A vote is due in Grand Rapids this year to decriminalize the use, possession, cultivation or gifting of psychoactive plants and mushrooms.

RELATED: Will Cannabis Entrepreneurs Switch To Psychedelics?

What is in the current invoice? Irwin said his bill would build on decriminalization efforts in Ann Arbor and other communities to ensure no one is criminally penalized for using psychedelics. He added that the bill would help reduce the impact of efforts Drug war, which has disproportionately affected color communities since the 1970s when state restrictions on psychedelics came into effect.

“There are moves in other communities across the state to decriminalize these substances and stop the waste of police resources.” [and] turn people’s lives upside down, ”said Irwin. “I’m really proud to have this state-level conversation. Why do we continue to pursue this failure of the state’s ban policy? Why do we continue to wage the war on drugs in ways that do not help us and lead to mass incarceration? “

No medicinal properties? Researchers beg to differ: Like cannabis, psychedelics are classified as a Schedule 1 drug with “currently no accepted medical use and” potential for abuse. “

Photo by Nathaniel Paluga, Wikimedia user Drpaluga

However, numerous ongoing studies have shown that Psychedelics actually help patients with debilitating mental illness such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.

RELATED: Women Are More Likely to Use Psychedelics Than Men – Here’s Why

Research institutions such as John Hopkins University and the University of California, Berkeley, have also recently opened centers for psychedelic research.

Irwin stressed that legislation would free people from having to choose whether to prioritize their health and safety or follow the law.

“Fixing this for these people and allowing our institutions to research and learn more about why these substances work in some people can be of great benefit to many people struggling with mental illness,” said Irwin .

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.