Residents in the cities of Brookings, Sutherlin, and Rogue River have voted decisively to prohibit psilocybin businesses from operating within their jurisdictions. This outcome follows previous two-year moratoriums, which these cities had enacted to temporarily ban psilocybin-related enterprises. With those moratoriums set to expire at the end of this year, the recent vote ensures that the ban on psilocybin businesses will remain in place.
In each city, the majority of residents expressed a clear preference to prevent the establishment of psilocybin businesses. Brookings voters favored the ban with approximately 60% voting in support and nearly 40% opposed. Similarly, Sutherlin recorded around 65% of voters in favor of the ban and about 35% opposed. In Rogue River, the numbers were close, with 63% of voters supporting the ban and 36% opposed. These results reflect a consistent trend across the three cities, with the majority in each locality aligning against the presence of psilocybin businesses.
Psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, is gaining recognition in the field of mental health as a treatment option for conditions such as PTSD, severe depression, and anxiety. In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to legalize psilocybin for controlled therapeutic use, aiming to address mental health concerns through licensed facilitators in supervised settings. However, Oregon’s legislation allows municipalities to make their own determinations regarding the presence of psilocybin businesses, giving local governments the authority to regulate or ban these enterprises within their borders.
The decision by voters in Brookings, Sutherlin, and Rogue River suggests a cautious approach to psilocybin, with some residents citing concerns about the potential impact of such businesses on their communities. While advocates argue that psilocybin therapy provides valuable mental health benefits, some residents remain apprehensive about its presence in their towns. The debates in these communities reflect broader national discussions on the role of psychedelic substances in medicine and society.
This outcome underscores a continuing divergence between statewide policies and local sentiment. Since Oregon’s legalization of psilocybin therapy, several other cities and counties in the state have also moved to restrict or regulate psilocybin businesses. For proponents of psilocybin therapy, these local decisions present both a challenge and an opportunity for further education on the therapeutic benefits and safe usage of psilocybin in controlled settings.
The ban also raises questions about the future availability of psilocybin therapy in Oregon’s smaller and rural communities. Without access to local psilocybin businesses, residents seeking therapeutic options may need to travel to other areas where such services are permitted, potentially limiting access for those in need. Proponents of psilocybin therapy argue that the regulated use of psilocybin could help address mental health issues within these communities, but opponents remain skeptical about potential social and public safety impacts.
As the year concludes, Brookings, Sutherlin, and Rogue River join a growing list of Oregon cities opting out of allowing psilocybin businesses within their borders. The future of psilocybin therapy in Oregon, and across the U.S., may largely depend on continued dialogue and evidence-based assessments of its therapeutic efficacy and community impact. For now, however, the majority in these cities have chosen to keep psilocybin businesses out, signaling that Oregon’s approach to psychedelics will likely continue to vary widely from city to city.
