Berkeley has long been an epicenter of psychedelic research and culture in the United States. In particular, UC Berkeley alumni Terence McKenna, a philosopher and ethnobotanist, helped elucidate many of the theories and philosophy that underlie psychedelic spaces even today.
“Living in Berkeley, I tried psilocybin mushrooms for the first time with trusted friends. These plant medicines helped me work through trauma and open my heart to other people for the first time,” remarked James Davis, cofounder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine and an advocate who played a role in authoring Berkeley’s Land Acknowledgement Policy.
“Even so, this measure strikes the right balance by acknowledging that this should be something people research cautiously for their own wellbeing. Not something that should be sold and traded like candy, as has unfortunately happened in Oakland, nor commercialized for massive profits like in Oregon and Colorado.”
“The Berkeley City Council’s Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Committee benefited from advice from Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, who emphasize safety and personal responsibility in use rather than sharing and gifting,” remarked Berkeley City Councilor Sophie Hahn, who chairs the committee that adopted cautious amendments.
City of Berkeley Community Health Commission Commissioner Joe Adams supported the revised measure as well, working with Bay Staters throughout the process. “I’m excited about this responsible approach. Culturally, we still need a lot of harm reduction education. I strongly urge policymakers and groups, like Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, in other cities and states to put caution, education, and public health first like Berkeley.”
“We have a big responsibility now that we’ve spearheaded measures from coast to coast,” remarked Colomba Klenner Valencia, Bay Staters’ Communications Director. “We are proud to stand up for liberty, community sovereignty, and education.”