Oakland could become 2nd U.S. city to decriminalize hallucinogenic mushrooms

Oakland, Calif., could become the second city in the U.S. to decriminalize certain natural hallucinogenics, including “magic mushrooms,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

A resolution that would instruct law enforcement to stop investigating and prosecuting people using the drugs will have its first public hearing before Oakland City Council’s public safety committee on Tuesday.

{mosads}It could be considered in front of the full council on June 4, according to the Chronicle.

The resolution applies only to psychedelics derived from plants or fungi, not synthetic drugs like LSD or MDMA.

Councilman Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution, told the Chronicle he hopes that the decriminalization of natural psychedelics could help people with mental health issues.

“We need all the help we can get to deal with the mental health issues that we have,” Gallo said. “If I can bring it publicly and talk about the benefit and talk about [how it can] deal with the mental illnesses that we have in the city, why not?”

The resolution comes mere weeks after Denver voters approved decriminalization of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Statewide initiatives are being floated in California and Oregon, according to the Chronicle.