HomeMy WebLinkAbout042323 Support for passing the resolution on entheogens________________________________
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Hello,
I have been a proud resident of Port Townsend for just over 7 years now; I've lived in the beautiful Puget Sound region my whole life and I don't want to live anywhere else. I love the
people here and the community spirit and I'm proud of how well we work together to build a sensible community.
I have recently heard about the activity around decriminalizing entheogens for treatment of PTSD, addiction and anxiety related issues. I personally have some experience with these life
challenges, but nothing like what I know our law enforcement, military, medical, or more severe mental health sufferers have to go through. I have heard so much convincing evidence
in the past couple decades that our 1960's through 2000's war or drugs has gone farther than what was needed to help society, and that we could benefit from re-thinking where we draw
the line, both for the sake of doing more research and for allowing people to grow and posses their own small quantities of these beneficial natural remedies as their consciences see
fit. (I also think we can re-think possession laws while maintaining our standards for public nuisance, etc. - we have seen with the legalization of Marijuana that use and public opinion
can change quite a bit without the social collapse that some had feared. Interestingly, during this transition it has been illegal, man-made drugs that are still causing the biggest
problems.)
Given all this, and given that corporate and profit-seeking involvement in these matters can distort equitable access and can artificially break a healthy relationship with nature and
its benefits to our physical and mental well being, I think that decriminalization of entheogens is the best path forward, so that the ability to cultivate personal-use quantities of
these natural medicines is protected.
Finally, thank you for all that you do for us in this community; I am proud as a resident but I am also proud that we truly have leaders here that take action based on a similar pride
in the beautiful peninsula we call home.
J. Luke Scott
Port Townsend, WA