Campaign Seeks to Decriminalize Natural Psychedelics In Portland, Oregon

Activists in Portland, Oregon say they planning to put a ballot measure to decriminalize possession of naturally occurring psychedelics on local ballots in 2026, Marijuana Moment reports. The effort launched this year after lawmakers opted to undo the voter-backed drug decriminalization initiative that was passed in 2020.

Specifically, the Portland Psychedelic Health Act aims to make enforcement of drug laws relating to “naturally occurring” psychedelics the lowest possible priority for local police. The initiative would cover natural psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and mescaline, but not peyote, which is a federally protected cactus. The initiative would also establish a Psychedelics Advisory Panel to recommend new psychedelics-related guidances for the city.

“This Act recognizes that Portlanders have long consumed natural psychedelics for personal, health, and spiritual reasons, and that they will continue to do so. In addition to creating more safety and education around psychedelics, this Act protects the possession and use of these natural substances, making them the lowest priority for law enforcement in our city.” — Excerpt from the initiative

The campaign is set to begin gathering signatures in early 2025 to secure its spot on the 2026 ballot. Supporters of the initiative will need to collect about 40,000 votes, the report said.

The Portland campaign is supported by David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s soap company, which previously gave $1 million to support the successful campaign to legalize medical psilocybin in Oregon.

Oregon was the first U.S. state to pass a blanket drug decriminalization policy in 2020 but, despite being approved by the majority of voters, lawmakers opted to walk back the policy this year. Oregon voted during the same election to also legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin.