Message Template for Your Philadelphia, PA Council Member

Hello,

​My name is [Name] and I’m one of [Legislator or Councilmember Name]‘s constituents. I am [calling/writing] in support of Decriminalize Nature Philadelphia’s campaign to get psychedelic/entheogenic plants and fungi decriminalized in Philadelphia and wanted to request that [Legislator or Councilmember Name] sponsor or co-sponsor a public hearing on the matter as well as vote in support of their resolution, which can be found on the home page of their website.

​Entheogens are plants and fungi that “inspire a feeling of the divine within” and have been used by many cultures around the world for thousands of years in sacred spiritual traditions. Scientific evidence gathered over the last several decades shows that entheogens have incredible potential to treat drug and alcohol addiction–even cases of treatment-resistant opioid and methamphetamine addiction–as well as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental and related physical health conditions that so many Philadelphians live with.

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)’s 2021 Health of the City report, adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder fluctuated 19-24% from 2011-2020, indicating no change in trends over a decade despite public health resources allocated. In 2020, 1,214 Philadelphians died of an overdose with 85% of cases involving an opioid, as reported by PDPH. In 2019, 270 Pennsylvania veterans took their own lives due to untreated trauma, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. This was nearly double the civilian suicide rate. In July 2021, CBS News reported that Philadelphia had the highest murder rate per capita among the 10 largest cities in the US. The COVID pandemic exacerbated these problems, but research shows that entheogens are able to help.

​For me, this issue matters because [tell a brief personal story in a short paragraph or two]*

​We should join other major cities including Denver, Oakland, Washington DC, Seattle, Detroit, San Francisco, et al. (25 cities in total) in decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi for psycho-spiritual exploration, healing, and growth. Since the early 1970s, federal law has made it a felony offense to use these natural medicines, declaring them as having no health value and high addiction risk despite abundant scientific evidence to the contrary even at the time–and prohibiting scientists from attempting to further demonstrate otherwise! Today, however, we have an important opportunity for Philadelphia to more effectively address the addiction, violence, and mental health issues that are hurting our communities and inhibiting greater economic growth and shared security and prosperity for all.

Decriminalize Nature Philadelphia has produced a two-page summary brief on the public health and safety as well as political risks and benefits of decriminalizing natural psychedelics, which is also available on the home page of their website along with a more detailed presentation. I encourage Councilmember [Last Name] and [gender pronoun] legislative team to review these documents if they have not already.

​Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response on this important matter. Again my name is [Name] and you can reach me at [Phone Number and/or Email]. For more information, please visit www.decriminalizenature.org/philly and/or email Decriminalize Nature Philadelphia at info@decriminalizenaturephilly.org.