Question 1

What is Initiative 81 in Washington DC?

Accepted Answer

Initiative 81, officially the 'Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020,' was passed by DC voters in November 2020 with 76% approval. It makes the investigation and arrest of adults for non-commercial use, possession, and cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi among the lowest priorities for DC Metropolitan Police. It covers psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, DMT, mescaline-containing cacti, ibogaine, and related natural substances.

Question 2

Does Initiative 81 legalize magic mushrooms in DC?

Accepted Answer

Initiative 81 does not fully legalize psilocybin mushrooms. It decriminalizes them by making police enforcement the lowest priority. Technically, possession remains federally illegal, and commercial activity is not authorized. However, the District's gifting economy has developed around the measure, where community organizations provide entheogens as complimentary gifts alongside other transactions. The DC Council has not overturned or modified the initiative since passage.

Question 3

What substances does Initiative 81 cover?

Accepted Answer

Initiative 81 covers all entheogenic plants and fungi, including: psilocybin and psilocin-containing mushrooms (magic mushrooms), DMT and DMT-containing plants, ayahuasca, mescaline-containing cacti (San Pedro, peyote), ibogaine and iboga, and 5-MeO-DMT. It does not cover synthetic psychedelics like LSD, MDMA, or ketamine.