“The question that people should be asking themselves is, ‘What did the world look like before [these plants] were criminalized?'” he said. There is a long history of different plants being used in various religious ceremonies throughout the world, like ayahuasca tea among certain groups in Brazil or peyote among indigenous peoples in Mexico.
Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan agreed with the assessment that the plants and fungi never should have been criminalized in the first place.
“Richard Nixon launched a war [on drugs] that we all know is stupid, racist, wasteful and expensive, and it is long past time for us to continue fighting Nixon’s war for him,” she said.
The Oakland Police Department said they have dealt with 19 cases of suspected psychedelic mushrooms over the last five years, and were not certain about cases of other plants listed in the resolution.
If it passes, Plazola said Decriminalize Nature Oakland hopes to use the measure as a model for other cities and states.
Decriminalization in Denver was passed by ballot, with 51 percent of the vote. A similar measure is likely to be on the ballot in Oregon in the fall of 2020.