Three in Five DC Voters Support Reforming Laws for Plant and Fungi Medicines

Poll Reveals How DC Voters Plan to Cast Ballots this November

 

WASHINGTON, DC  – New polling released today by the Campaign to Decriminalize Nature DC shows that three in five DC voters support Initiative 81, the “Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020,” which will appear on the ballot this November. If passed, Initiative 81 would reform laws for plant and fungi medicines known as entheogens by designating ayahuasca, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, iboga, and mescaline-containing cacti as among the lowest law enforcement priorities for the Metropolitan Police Department. 

The poll, sponsored by the New Approach PAC and conducted by the polling firm FM3 Research, clearly shows that a majority of DC voters support Initiative 81 and that support has increased since April when the previous poll was conducted. Of likely DC voters polled in August, 60% support Initiative 81 based on the text of the measure alone. That support grows to 64% when voters are presented with a plain-language explanation of the ballot initiative. 

Compared to polling conducted in April, support based on the text of the measure alone has increased by nine points and three times as many District voters have now seen, heard or read at least a little about Initiative 81. 

“Today’s polling shows unequivocal support for ensuring DC residents using plant and fungi medicines to overcome depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions are not law enforcement targets. This polling also underpins what we learned talking to DC residents in all eight wards while collecting over 35,000 signatures to place Initiative 81 on the ballot,” said Melissa Lavasani, the proposer of Initiative 81, who overcame postpartum depression thanks to plant medicines. She adds, “It is clear that DC residents are ready to reform outdated laws for entheogenic substances. Police priorities should reflect the growing body of research on the therapeutic benefits of entheogens rather than the failed war on drugs.” 

Strong support for Initiative 81 in this new poll of 620 likely voters ahead of the election indicates a clear path to passing the ballot measure this fall. The polling also confirms that the 2020 general election will see significant changes in voting with a broad majority of DC voters planning to vote early. Of those polled, 53% reported that they will likely vote by mail and 25% reported that they plan on voting early at a vote center while only 13% plan to vote on election day and 9% are unsure.

 

Visit www.DecrimNatureDC.org to review the polling data, read the voter initiative, and learn more about the Campaign to Decriminalize Nature DC. 

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Please click here to download FM3’s memo “DC Voter Views of Initiative 81 – August”