Worcester To Discuss Decriminalizing Psychedelic Fungi, Plants

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester could soon become the biggest community in Massachusetts to decriminalize plants and fungi that induce psychedelic trips.

The Worcester Human Rights Commission (HRC) on Monday will hear from Bay Staters for Natural Medicine (BSNM), a grassroots group that has pushed for — and won decriminalization of natural psychedelics, like magic mushrooms, in other communities in Massachusetts.

"We are a grassroots movement of volunteers working to end the war on drugs and expand affordable, equitable access to natural entheogenic plants and fungi, like magic mushrooms, in the state of Massachusetts," the group says on its website.

Magic mushrooms are the most prominent natural psychedelic, but BSNM also advocates for the use of entheogenics like mescaline and ayahuasca.

So far, Easthampton, Northampton, Somerville and Cambridge have all moved to effectively decriminalize the use and possession of psychedelics under BSNM's urging. Decriminalization does not allow for retail sale of psychedelic fungi or plants, but can remove criminal enforcement for people caught with the items. Psychedelics remain illegal under federal law.

Somerville was the first to act on psychedelics in January 2021. The City Council approved a resolution banning the use of city resources to enforce drug laws related to psilocybin and other substances.

BSNM argues that, apart from recreational use, natural psychedelics can treat health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and opioid-use disorder. Similar arguments were made during a push to bring medical marijuana to Massachusetts.

The Worcester HRC will hear from the group at Monday night's meeting, which begins around 6 p.m.