WORCESTER, Mas. - A group of volunteers is hoping to decriminalize access to Entheogenic, or psychedelic, plants for veterans and first responders in Worcester.
The group, known as Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, met with the city’s Human Rights Commission Monday night.
They said they have passed decriminalization measures in places like Easthampton and Northampton and a dozen cities nationwide.
In these cities, the measures have de-prioritized arrests for possessing controlled substances, with law enforcement instead referring people to addiction and housing services.
Volunteer David Slatkin said Entheogenic plants have helped him mentally and physically. He said the group is starting with first responders because many of them suffer from PTSD.
“They do experience trauma on a daily basis and as someone like myself who has experienced trauma, I want them to be able to have every tool necessary to get them better so they don’t get involved other externalizing behaviors like substance abuse or violence or suicide,” Slatkin said. “We know that suicide and drug addiction are the largest causes of death for individuals under 45.”
The Human Rights Commission will vote on the matter in April. They want to give people more time to submit testimony and time for the commission to review the information.
