Lebanon Township adopts ordinance banning commercial psilocybin production

Lebanon Township’s governing body on Wednesday adopted an ordinance that bars commercial production, manufacturing and service provisioning of psilocybin, psilocin and psilocybin spores within township limits.

The ordinance, introduced Aug. 21 as Ordinance No. 11-2024 and identified in the code as an amendment to Chapter 400, Article 2, §409, was the subject of a public hearing and a short committee discussion before members voted to adopt it. The planning board had issued a resolution saying the change is not inconsistent with the township master plan, which the committee noted during the hearing.

Mayor Kohler, who framed the proposal as a way to avoid regulatory loopholes, said the measure was written to cover “psilocybin, psilocin and psilocybin spores” and, for clarity, added that “psilocybin is also known as magic mushrooms.” Committee members moved and seconded adoption and the roll call recorded affirmative votes to enact the ordinance.

Why it matters: The ordinance removes the local option to host commercial cultivation, processing or retail service provisioning for those substances in Lebanon Township. Supporters told the committee the language was intentionally broad to prevent unintended exemptions; no public speakers urged keeping commercial operations.

What’s next: The ordinance is adopted and becomes part of the township code as amended. The committee did not specify an effective-on date in the discussion recorded at the meeting; implementation and any enforcement steps will follow standard town procedures.

Provenance: The committee opened the public hearing on Ordinance No. 11-2024 and discussed adoption during the meeting (topic introduced at the public hearing and adoption sequence).