A vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a pop-up cannabis market in Los Angeles. Cambridge has signaled its support to decriminalize psilocybin and most other psychedelics. (Richard Vogel/AP)
A second Massachusetts city has signaled that it wants to decriminalize the use and possession of entheogenic plants, or most psychedelics. The policy order, approved by Cambridge city councilors Wednesday night, also seeks to decriminalize all controlled substances.
Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, who sponsored the order, cited research suggesting that psychedelic plants and fungi such as psilocybin mushrooms can help treat some mental health and substance use issues. The measure directs the Cambridge city manager to work with federal and state partners to decriminalize psychedelics, which are illegal under federal law and are classified as controlled substances.