What are entheogens?
Entheogens are a class of substance which occasion mystical-type experiences that often have substantial and sustained personal meaning and significance[17]. These experiences are often attributed to sustained positive life changes[15][16][17]. You may have heard of entheogens such as psilocybin (or "magic mushrooms"), which have been very popular in both research and popular culture recently.
If you're familiar with the term psychedelic, entheogens are very similar but have some important differences. Historically, the term entheogen has focused more on the medicinal and spiritual aspects of these substances. Additionally, many misconceptions have been associated with the term psychedelic over the years.
By using the term entheogen instead of psychedelic, we hope to help give pause to these misconceptions so that the issue of decriminalization can be approached objectively without stigma.
Why decriminalize nature? What does that mean?
In recent years, a surge in the research of entheogens such as psilocybin has made it clear that they pose little risk of harm[8][18]. In fact, entheogens have been shown to improve mental health and help treat addiction[1][2].
Unfortunately, despite the strong evidence of their benefits, Wisconsin considers it a crime to grow or possess entheogenic plants and fungi[4]. Decriminalize Nature Madison would like to see this change.
We believe the City of Madison should join the 20+ cities nationwide[19] that have decriminalized the use, possession and growth of entheogenic plants and fungi for personal use.
Decriminalization means City police would deprioritize enforcement of personal use violations. City police would still enforce violations such as possession or distribution on school grounds, DUIs and commercial production or sales. This would allow adults to benefit from the medicinal benefits of entheogens while eliminating the biggest risk they pose: criminal prosecution.
Read more about the many reasons to decriminalize below!
Entheogens improve mental health
Entheogens such as psilocybin (or "magic mushrooms") have been shown to help alleviate depression[1], end-of-life anxiety[3], and alcohol use disorder[2]. Millions of American adults struggle with mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression[7], and they deserve to have access to these promising medicines without living under the threat of a felony.
Entheogens are safe and non-addictive
Entheogenic plants and fungi are physiologically and psychologically safe and do not lead to dependence or addiction[8][18]. In fact, entheogens have been shown to help break addictions such as alcohol use disorder[2] and tobacco use disorder[9]. UW-Madison is even studying psilocybin (or "magic mushrooms") as a way to help treat opioid use disorder[10].
Entheogens promote empathy and kickstart positive life change
Research has demonstrated that entheogenic plants and fungi can enhance feelings of empathy, self-love, and love for others[12][13]. Additionally, they have been shown to boost the brain's neuroplasticity, allowing neural networks to adapt and grow more easily[14][15]. This increased neuroplasticity enables the brain to form new connections which reinforce the positive transformations sparked by the experience, leading to lasting change[16][17].
Wisconsin law is incredibly harsh
Despite being non-violent, under current Wisconsin law almost all entheogen-related crimes are felonies punishable by a minimum of up to 3.5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both[4]. For some entheogens such as mescaline, harvesting just 1 gram is punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000 or both[4]. This is despite the fact that mescaline has been used safely by Indigenous cultures as a sacred medicine for thousands of years[5]. In fact, mescaline has recently been found to be associated with self-reported psychiatric improvements and lasting positive life changes[6].
Our resources are better spent elsewhere
The City of Madison faces many pressing issues that require its attention. By allocating resources towards the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of entheogen-related offenses, the city is forced to divert valuable time and funds away from more critical issues. Madison is facing a 2025 budget deficit[11]. Decriminalizing nature should be part of the solution.
How would decriminalization work? How do we get there?
There are a few different ways decriminalization can happen. The main way we are advocating for is through the Common Council.
While the Common Council can't override state law, it does decide the city budget. Through the budget, the Common Council can forbid city funds from being used towards investigating/enforcing entheogen-related violations. While entheogens would remain illegal, the city would not investigate or arrest anyone for breaking those laws. This would not include violations such as DUI, possession on school grounds, or commercial sales. You can view our proposed resolution here!
In fact, Madison wouldn't be the first city to do this! Many cities across the country and the Midwest have decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi in recent years.
Check out the map below to see what our neighbor states have been up to. Each blue flower represents a decriminalized area, and each pink flower represents a notable legislative action. Click on each flower to see more information!
Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan has so many areas which have decriminalized nature that we had to group them into one large flower! Here's the list:
- The City of Ann Arbor decriminalized nature in September of 2020 through a resolution passed by their City Council.
- In January 2021, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office published an official policy that it will no longer pursue criminal charges for the use, possession or cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi.
- Voters in the City of Detroit voted to decriminalize nature in November of 2021 through a ballot initiative called "Proposal E".
- The City of Hazel Park decriminalized nature in March of 2022 through a resolution passed by their City Council.
- The City of Ferndale decriminalized nature in February of 2023 through a resolution passed by their City Council.
- The City of Ypsilanti decriminalized nature in January of 2024 through a resolution passed by their City Council.