Decriminalize Nature DC

Reform Laws for Plant Medicines in DC

Change DC police priorities for plant and fungi Medicines

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Initiative 81 is a voter initiative that was approved by District of Columbia voters on  the November 2020 General Election ballot.  Initiative 81 makes the enforcement of laws against natural plant medicines (entheogens) among the lowest law enforcement priorities, helping thousands of DC residents who currently fear arrest or prosecution. On March 16, 2021, Initiative 81 became law in the District of Columbia.  THANK YOU!
 
Leading medical researchers at Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UCLA have clinically shown that active principles in entheogens can be an effective treatment for addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma and provide relief for those with terminal illnesses. 
Read the Full Text of Initiative 81

Vote Yes on Initiative 81 to:

research On entheogens:

Depression & Anxiety

A variety of studies have found that psilocybin and ayahuasca can produce dramatic and lasting reductions in the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. 

PTSD

Psilocybin can be a useful tool for lowering psychological defenses and treating PTSD. Psilocybin  can also lead to positive changes in personality; such as increases in empathy, openness and conscientiousness.

End of Life Support

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can reduce depressed mood, anxiety, and death anxiety; and increase quality of life, life meaning, and optimism in cancer patients.

Learn More About Entheogens

Frequently asked questions

Initiative 81 would help thousands of DC residents who currently fear arrest or prosecution for using natural plant medicines ( entheogens) to overcome depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction. Initiative 81 would help ensure that DC residents in all 8 wards are not law enforcement targets for using healing entheogens. 

Initiative 81 would make the investigation and arrest of adults for non-commercial planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, possessing, and/or engaging in practices with entheogenic plants and fungi among the Metropolitan Police Department’s lowest law enforcement priorities; and

Codify that the people of the District of Columbia call upon the Attorney General for theDistrict of Columbia and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to cease prosecution of residents of the District of Columbia for these activities.

A naturally occurring plant or fungi substance like psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, iboga, or mescaline-containing cacti, that can initiate non-ordinary states of consciousness that inspire mental or spiritual growth and healing.

No. Initiative 81 does not legalize or reduce penalties for entheogens. 

Meet Initiative 81 Proposer:
Melissa Lavasani

Many thanks to Kenny Reff of Limelight Communications for the production of this video. 

Melissa proposed DC’s Initiative 81, “The Plant and Fungus policy Act of 2020,” after entheogenic plants and fungi helped her overcome severe postpartum depression. She is currently the Chairwoman of the Campaign to Decriminalize Nature DC.

Melissa was motivated to change laws in the District of Columbia so that other residents would not face the same fear of investigation, arrest or prosecution for using entheogens that she did.  

Born to Iranian immigrants in Washington DC, Melissa currently lives in Ward 6 with her husband and two children and is a DC government employee.

Support for initiative 81:

"Before incorporating entheogens into my life, I suffered from anxiety and headaches caused by trauma. My health and quality of life have greatly improved since I started exploring plant medicine.”
Uneeda Nichols
Business Owner, Ward 8 Resident
"Mushrooms helped me forgive myself, break destructive thought patterns, and my guide taught me how to integrate the lessons into my everyday life."
Dan Carcillo
Two-time NHL Stanley Cup Winner, Founder, Chapter 5 Foundation
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