Title

A MOTION stating the council's support for continued entheogen-related research for alternative treatment modalities, structured medical models, and full decriminalization of entheogen-related activities and requesting that the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of any adult engaging in certain entheogen-related activities be among King County's lowest criminal enforcement priorities.

Body

                     WHEREAS, entheogen is a term that encompasses any living, fresh, dried, or processed plant or fungal material, including teas or powders, that may contain currently scheduled or analog psychoactive indolamines, tryptamines, or phenethylamines, including, but not limited to, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca tea, mescaline, and iboga, and

                     WHEREAS, depression, severe anxiety, problematic substance use, post-traumatic stress, end-of-life anxiety, grief, isolation, intergenerational trauma, and other physical and mental conditions are plaguing many communities, and scientific and clinical studies show the benefits of entheogens in treating these conditions, and

                     WHEREAS, communities face unprecedented mental health crisis, unprecedented suicide rates, especially among veterans and marginalized groups, and a deepening opioid addiction crisis and the Washington state Legislature can contribute to removing stigmas through public education and supporting community mental health efforts, and

                     WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration-sanctioned clinical trials show positive results that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin assisted therapy, and

                     WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin-assisted therapy as a breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant depression in 2018 and major depressive disorder in 2019, and

                     WHEREAS, human cultures around the world recognize entheogens as sacred and have used them as part of their cultural, spiritual, and religious practices for generations, and

                     WHEREAS, a variety of jurisdictions in the United States, including the cities of Olympia, Port Townsend, Seattle, and Tacoma and Jefferson County, have supported decriminalization of entheogens, and Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., have decriminalized some or all entheogens through successful ballot initiatives, and

                     WHEREAS, decriminalization of entheogens does not undermine the seriousness of the opioid epidemic and impact of harmful substances on the lives of individuals, families, and communities;

                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:

                     A.  The council states its support for continued research for entheogen-related alternative treatment modalities and structured medical models.  The council further states its support for the full decriminalization of the personal use of entheogens at the state and federal level.

                     B.1.  The council requests that investigation, arrest, and prosecution of any adult engaging in the cultivation of entheogens for use in religious, spiritual, healing, or personal growth practices be designated as among King County’s lowest criminal enforcement priorities, and further requests that county funds or resources not be used for investigation, prosecution, or arrest of individuals possessing or using entheogenic plants or fungi for religious, spiritual, healing, or personal growth practices.

                       2.  The request is only intended to request King County sheriff’s office designate entheogen cultivation for the aforementioned purposes as among the lowest law enforcement priorities in unincorporated areas.  The request does not reflect any intent on the part of the council for King County sheriff's office deputies in the Muckleshoot tribe or contract cities to deviate from the tribe or contract cities' laws, procedures, or priorities.

                       3.  This section B. reflects the intent on the part of the council only to request the King County prosecuting attorney designate cases under its jurisdiction for the aforementioned purposes related to entheogens as among the lowest prosecution priorities.  This section B. does not reflect any intent on the part of the council to request the King County prosecuting attorney decline to prosecute cases for this offense which involve other substances or where the conduct has put public safety at risk.

                     C.  The council's passage of this motion does not reflect any intent on the part of the council to support or encourage:

                       1.  Driving under the influence of entheogenic plants or fungi;

                       2.  Possession or distribution of entheogens in schools;

                       3.  Use of entheogenic plants or fungi on any form of public transit;

                       4.  Possession, distribution, or sale of entheogenic plants or fungi by or to minor children;

                       5.  Commercial manufacturing or sales of entheogenic plants or fungi; or

                       6.  Conduct that puts public safety at risk.