City of Tacoma’s Passage of Resolution 41609 Deprioritizes Local Enforcement Against Entheogen-Related Activities
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~ On January 28, 2025, the City of Tacoma made a significant move towards prioritizing mental health treatment by passing Resolution 41609. This resolution, brought forward by District 5 Council Member Joe Bushnell and co-sponsored by Mayor Victoria Woodards, At-large Council Member Olgy Diaz, and District 3 Council Member Jamika Scott, declares entheogen-related activities as the lowest law enforcement priorities in the city.

Entheogens are substances that have been used for centuries in spiritual and religious practices to induce altered states of consciousness. The resolution also expresses support for decriminalizing entheogens in order to open doors for further research into their potential therapeutic benefits.

Council Member Joe Bushnell, a veteran who lives with PTSD, emphasized the importance of exploring innovative and compassionate approaches to mental health. He stated that in the United States alone, there are 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. As someone who understands the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health conditions firsthand, Bushnell sees the promising research on entheogens as a beacon of hope.

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Scientific studies have shown that entheogens such as psilocybin can be effective in treating various conditions including depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. In fact, the FDA has designated psilocybin-assisted therapy as a breakthrough treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

Tacoma now joins other Washington state jurisdictions such as Seattle, Port Townsend, Olympia, and Jefferson County in deprioritizing local enforcement against entheogen-related activities. This move towards decriminalization is seen as a step towards advocating for further research and potentially life-changing treatments for those struggling with mental health issues.

The passing of Resolution 41609 is a testament to Tacoma's commitment to addressing mental health concerns through progressive and compassionate measures. With this resolution in place, it is hoped that more jurisdictions will follow suit in recognizing the potential benefits of entheogens in treating mental health conditions.

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