Decriminalizing Peyote: “Drug Reform or Settler Colonialism?”

Chacruna published a provocative article earlier this month that takes aim at groups like Decriminalize Nature’s lack of consultation with indigenous groups on the topic of peyote decriminalisation.

“While decriminalization is not legalization, it introduces new and unpredictable factors that could have significant ecological consequences for peyote, as well as potentially disrupting access to this sacred resource by communities and families who have prayed together with this medicine for generations. The reality is that there is no clear benefit to Native communities if peyote is decriminalized; rather, decriminalization can be seen as a Pandora’s box that, once opened, cannot be closed again. It should be left to the Native American Church to decide if, and when, and under what circumstances this box should be opened.”

We have written on this topic a number of times (see below), but never in the detail that Labate and Feeney provide in this lengthy piece – it’s certainly a thought-provoking piece that should remind us just how nuanced any dismantling of the War on Drugs must be.

In terms of our own coverage of peyote:

• In May 2021 we took MindMed’s announcement of its mescaline drug development program as an opportunity to provide a very brief overview of mescaline and peyote. We noted: “Given a revival of interest in mescaline in recent years, some Native Americans have expressed concern about potential decriminalization and legalization efforts. Blanket decriminalization of psychedelics, for example, could further endanger plants like peyote. The middle ground here may be excluding such plants, and mescaline, from legislative initiatives: the path that Senator Scott Wiener followed when drafting Bill 519.”

   

• In January we discussed the goals of Lophos Pharma, “a psychedelic research company primarily focused on novel therapeutic treatments derived from Peyote”. The company’s investor presentation explained that it was “securing the existing supply of Peyote (approx. 2,500 Peyote plants) from independent growers across Canada […] creat[ing] a significant barrier to entry for competitors.”

The matter was also covered in a review of the forthcoming Netflix docuseries mentioned above. Bob Strauss’ review of How to Change Your Mind notes that:

“[Decriminalize Nature] has created one interesting political wrinkle that doesn’t involve reactionary laws. Native Americans have taken issue with peyote, the rare mescaline-producing cactus that grows only along a stretch of the Rio Grande, being included in the plant decriminalization effort. They rightly (not to mention historically) fear it will lead to a surge in non-Natives poaching the medicine that’s crucial to tribal ceremonies and individuals’ health.”

Pollan responds to this during the series by proclaiming that, “respecting Native American culture means leaving peyote alone.”