Speakers urge Jackson council to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi, citing Ann Arbor example
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Summary
Multiple public commenters asked the council to consider decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi, pointing to Ann Arbor’s unanimous action and research institutions studying therapeutic uses; no council vote or formal referral occurred.
Several public commenters at the Jan. 20 Jackson City Council meeting urged the council to consider decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi, citing therapeutic research and the example of Ann Arbor.
Anne Bannister, a former Ann Arbor City Council member (2017–2020), told Jackson council members that Ann Arbor passed a decriminalization measure in 2019–2020 after review by its legal and public safety staff and that the action carried unanimous support. Bannister said Ann Arbor worked with local public health and law enforcement and later received a statement from the county prosecutor that enforcement of such offenses would be a low priority.
Charles Ray, a retired teacher and licensed professional counselor, described the potential mental-health benefits and urged Jackson to consider the measure for people with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD. Roger Mulford, who identified a background in biomedical engineering and research, said several Michigan municipalities have passed similar measures and encouraged the council to “get it moving forward.”
Speakers cited research interest at institutions including Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan and framed decriminalization as a public-health and liberty issue. No council member proposed or seconded an ordinance at the Jan. 20 meeting, and the item appeared only in public comment; the council did not schedule a hearing or take formal action on the subject that night.
