More Progressive Policy
In September of 2023 Ypsilanti’ State Senate Representative Jeff Irwin proposed a piece of legislation titled SB499, a revision to Michigan’s Public Health Code that would effectively decriminalize organic entheogens throughout the state. This revision would remove criminal penalties for the use, cultivation, possession, and sharing without remuneration, of plant medicines that are currently considered federally scheduled substances. These plant medicines include, psilocybin containing mushrooms, mescaline containing cacti, Ibogaine and DMT. A wealth of quantitative and anecdotal data exists to confirm that these plant medicines are effective in treating, mental health symptoms associated with, substance use disorders, PTSD, treatment resistant depression, suicidality, and several other diagnoses. Statewide decriminalization would create pathways for Michiganders to access these plant medicines as alternatives to inherently flawed commonly accepted treatments modalities without risking criminalization and allow practitioners to consistently provide evidence based effective treatment options. SB499 is currently under review in the Michigan Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee and will hopefully be heard and voted on by the committee in the coming session.
In 2021, 5,000 Michiganders died from substance use and mental health related incidents, these plant medicines offer alternative treatment pathways that will save lives! Please support SB499 to provide access for evidence based effective mental health treatment for Michiganders! Below is a link to the language in the proposed legislation as well as access to committee members via email, letters of support and testimonials can be forwarded to the committee clerk!
