Alaskans Launch Ballot Initiative to Decriminalize Ayahuasca & Other Plant Medicines
A ballot initiative in Alaska was certified by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom earlier this year, and if voters approve it, the initiative would decriminalize growing and personal use of Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Magic Mushrooms, and Ibogaine.
One of the authors of the initiative, David Karabelnikoff, said that beyond decriminalization, it would also provide access to the medicines for therapeutic use.
“I think it would give more options for Alaskans that are struggling with mental health and addiction issues to be able to receive treatment that’s been shown to be promising in treating PTSD, depression, addiction,” he said.
Karabelnikoff noted that Ibogaine in particular shows promise in treating opioid use disorder.
“Alaska would be one of the first states in the country to have a regulated ibogaine program,” Karabelnikoff said.
Traditional healers from Indigenous communities with cultural relationships to the plants and compounds will help craft the State’s rules if the initiative passes.
The initiative will require about 35,000 signatures to be shown on Alaskan ballots, which Karabelnikoff and other supporters hope to obtain and submit to the Legislature before the next session in January.
This is a great sign as Alaska joins Oregon, New Mexico and Colorado in the slow march towards legitimizing plant medicines around the country, which is something that would benefit us all – now more than ever.
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