Regulations
PT367 – Colorado Proposition 122 and the Decriminalization of Natural Medicines
October 25, 2022
Featuring: David Bronner
In this episode, Joe interviews David Bronner: CEO (Cosmic Engagement Officer) of Dr. Bronner’s, a top-selling natural soap brand, that has, over the years, branched more and more into social (and psychedelic) activism.
In this episode, Joe interviews David Bronner: CEO (Cosmic Engagement Officer) of Dr. Bronner’s, a top-selling natural soap brand, that has, over the years, branched more and more into social (and psychedelic) activism.
Bronner visits largely to discuss Colorado’s Proposition 122, which they describe as “the most progressive policy yet” and would define natural plants like psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline-producing plants (excluding peyote), ibogaine, and DMT as “natural medicine,” and decriminalize their personal use, possession, growth, and transport for people over 21 years of age. If it passes, the statute would also create a Regulated Natural Medicine Access Program for licensed healing centers to administer these substances in safe, controlled environments.
He discusses the details of the proposal and its friction points with Decriminalize Nature’s efforts (most recently in their Initiative 61); some of the false narratives driven by opposition to Proposition 122; the ways the psychedelic movement is connecting with traditionally psychedelic-averse conservatives; peyote and the need to focus on sustainability; what happened with California’s Senate Bill 519; research into ibogaine; Biden’s federal prison “pardon”; and more.
While some say the people of Colorado aren’t ready for Proposition 122, we believe that they are, and we join Bronner in voicing our support for the measure – which could be a massive win for Colorado and the psychedelic movement in general. If you live in Colorado, we urge you to research the measure and think hard about which way you’ll be voting on November 8.
Notable Quotes
“Everyone here really wants to bring the healing power of these medicines and is understandably suspicious of corporate takeover like we’re seeing in big pharma. The way I see it; this regulated program and access is what competes with big pharma.”
“Conservative leanings on this could play in our favor, I don’t know. I mean, maybe not, but a crushing victory in Colorado, man, makes a lot of things possible. If we crush it with a 2/3 majority across a political spectrum in an off-year election in a purple state; that’s just going to send a shockwave to the political establishment and just make a lot of things easier, I think, at both the state and federal level.”
“What is a sustainable source of medicine? What’s not? This whole cognitive liberty/religious liberty [belief]: you need to balance that against ecological sustainability and Indigenous rights and not just say, ‘I have the right to use anything. It doesn’t matter how endangered it is or unsustainable that is.’”
Links
Ballotpedia.org: Oregon Measure 109, Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative (2020)
Filtermag.org: Colorado’s Two Psychedelic Ballot Efforts Present Competing Visions
Psychedelics Today: Religious Practice Under Oregon Measure 109
Psychedelic Education Center: Psychedelics and Religious Liberty in the United States
Rollingstone.com: These Mormons Have Found a New Faith – in Magic Mushrooms
Psychedelics Today: PT246 – Amber and Marcus Capone of VETS – Foundational Healing and the Brain
Psychedelics Today: PTSF77 – Progress and Context, with Jesse Gould of the Heroic Hearts Project
Filtermag.org: California’s Psychedelic Decrim Bill Was Gutted and Pulled; It Should Be Back in 2023
ICEERS.org: First Ever Clinical Trial with Ibogaine for Opioid Dependency
SSDP.org: Rally for Cannabis Clemency on October 24th at the White House
