Skip to content

04/24/23 09 AM: Board Hears Entheogen Decrim Support, Defers Resolution

Board Hears Entheogen Decrim Support, Defers Resolution

Public comments strongly backed psychedelic decriminalization resolution with personal healing stories; consent agenda approved unanimously including sewer contract; supported tribal waterway naming; CARES program briefed; entheogen resolution amended and deferred to next week amid law enforcement concerns.

Public Comment Period on Non-Agenda Items

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:46–00:36:18 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, other

Summary

The Board opened the floor for up to 30 minutes of public comment on any non-agenda topic, receiving 18 in-person and online testimonies, all supporting a forthcoming resolution to decriminalize entheogens (psychedelics like psilocybin). Speakers shared personal healing stories for PTSD, addiction, anxiety, depression, end-of-life care, and childhood trauma, citing scientific studies (e.g., FDA trials, MAPS organization) showing non-addictive benefits. Commissioners Eisenhour, Brotherton, and Dean expressed support, noting risks taken by speakers and balancing elected roles.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Brotherton opened with 3-minute limit per speaker, starting in-room then online; noted prosecutor's office presence for 10:00 entheogens item [00:00:46–00:03:36].
  • Speakers emphasized community education, peer support via Port Townsend Psychedelic Society, avoiding commercialization, and historical War on Drugs failures [Suzanne Marlin, massage therapist, Rebecca Alertiki, Keith (healthcare), Christa Demo (mental health counselor), Jerry Spickerman (cancer patient), Andy Fisher Price, Aaron (society volunteer), Shara (spiritual mentor), Juan Carlos, Kristen Barnes (naturopath/veteran), Jean, Joseph Go Forth].
  • Studies cited: 67% psilocybin success for smoking cessation vs. 27% control; 54% MDMA for PTSD remission; meta-analysis on anxiety/depression [Keith].
  • Commissioners responded post-comment: Eisenhour grateful for stories/risks; Brotherton supportive, learning "sausage-making"; Dean supportive of goals but concerned on decriminalization vs. legalization, hesitations directing elected Sheriff/Prosecutor [00:36:33–00:42:53].

Public Comments

  • Suzanne Marlin (Port Ludlow, retired RN): Supports entheogens resolution for mental health/substance abuse relief, opposes legalization without decriminalization.
  • Unnamed massage therapist (Portland): Organized end-of-life symposium (250 attendees); personal PTSD/anxiety relief; wide community support.
  • Rebecca Alertiki (13 years local, foster youth): Healing via plant medicines enabled community service; supports full life spectrum use.
  • Keith (healthcare educator): Cited FDA/MAPS studies on psilocybin/MDMA efficacy for addiction/PTSD/depression.
  • Christa Demo (LMHC, trauma survivor): Plant medicines integrated complex PTSD, enabling therapy practice.
  • Jerry Spickerman (80, metastatic cancer): Microdosing psilocybin reduces depression/anxiety; seeks to grow own medicine.
  • Andy Fisher Price: Ayahuasca ended cocaine addiction for self/partner; disrupts trauma cycles.
  • Aaron (Psychedelic Society): Community peer support, reciprocity; opposes commercialization; "entheogen" coined locally.
  • Shara (spiritual mentor): Represents plants/crises calls; fears underground access spirals suffering.
  • Juan Carlos (Society/REACH volunteer): Heals "invisible wounds"; prevents addiction harm.
  • Kristen Barnes (naturopath/veteran, No Fallen Heroes CMO): Veteran PTSD support; decriminalization over legalization for access.
  • Jean (Seattle/PT resident): No-brainer like cannabis; prevents black market.
  • Joseph Go Forth: Medicines strengthened sobriety/community support; relieves EMS/police burden.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments closed; responses noted support with procedural cautions; entheogens item deferred to 10:00.
  • Vote: N/A (informational).
  • Next Steps: Resolution discussion at 10:00 with Prosecutor/Sheriff.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:43:49–00:45:28 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, infrastructure, planning, personnel

Summary

The Board approved the April 24, 2023 Consent Agenda without items pulled for discussion, including Port Hadlock sewer Phase I contract award to Seton Construction ($1,139,547 plus tax, under budget), shoreline master program progress with BERK Consulting, parks board reappointment (Jon Cooke), and other routine items. Chair Brotherton highlighted local bidder savings via demobilization efficiencies. Approval was unanimous.

Key Discussion Points

  • Brotherton praised sewer award as "thrilling," under budget due to local Seton Construction [00:44:05–00:44:29].
  • Eisenhour noted shoreline master program advancement after ecology delays; thanked Jon Cooke reappointment [00:44:29–00:45:10].
  • Motion by Eisenhour to approve; unanimous "Aye" [00:45:17–00:45:28].
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet included sewer bid details (Seton lowest responsive), shoreline amendments ($84,333 total to BERK), parks reappointment; board decision aligned with staff recommendations.

Financials

  • Port Hadlock Sewer Phase I: $1,139,547 (+tax) to Seton Construction (under budget).
  • SMP Amendments (total): $84,333 to BERK Consulting.
  • Payroll/Vouchers: $1,392,294.91 (April 17).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Adopt the consent agenda for April 24, 2023."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: Brotherton, Eisenhour, Dean).
  • No next steps specified.

Letter of Support for "Passage Through" Waterway Naming

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:26–00:50:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, other

Summary

Commissioner Dean proposed a letter supporting Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe's request to name the Kilisut Harbor waterway (between Oak/Scow Bays, created via salmon restoration) "Passage Through" (tribal translation) to the WA State Committee on Geographic Names (hearing May 1). Board verified geography, opened/closed public comment (none), and unanimously approved after minor clarifications.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dean: DNR committee; tribe proposed post-restoration; Jamestown S’Klallam supports; draft language ready [00:46:43–00:47:55].
  • Eisenhour: Confirmed "joy" in name; verified Oak/Scow Bays [00:48:01–00:48:39].
  • Brotherton: Motion to approve; public comment called/closed (none) [00:49:28–00:50:00].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft letter provided; geography verified via Google (Oak/Scow Bays southern Kilisut Harbor).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Minor: Verify "Oak Bay/Scow Bay" accuracy pre-send.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approved the letter supporting the naming of Passage Through."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Send on letterhead to Julian/Adele; Dean may testify May 1.

CARES Program Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:50:45–00:57:21 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, personnel

Summary

Fire District paramedics presented a video on the CARES (Community Assistance Referral Education Services) program under RCW (2015), pairing paramedics with behavioral health specialists for non-emergency 911 follow-ups, primarily serving aging population (80% over 65, 25% veterans). Board praised gap-filling for rural independence edge-dwellers; staff buy food out-of-pocket. Limited discussion; informational.

Key Discussion Points

  • Video: Paramedic (20yrs) Leanne Peterson (addiction masters); 80% calls over-65; links to services (VA, DSHS); queues for assessment [00:52:39–00:56:24].
  • Brotherton: Behavioral health gap; aging in place; staff buy food personally [00:56:29–00:57:21].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CARES video; RCW (Gov. Inslee 2015).

Financials

No dedicated food budget; staff personal funds.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; no action.
  • No next steps specified.

Resolution on Entheogen Deprioritization

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:57:22–02:02:44 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety, services, planning

Summary

Board deliberated draft resolution urging lowest enforcement priority for adult entheogen (psychedelics) activities, state/federal decriminalization advocacy for 2024; Prosecutor/Sheriff raised oath/directives concerns, war-on-drugs/all-drugs scope. 10 more public comments reiterated healing (PTSD/addiction), decrim vs. legalization. Amendments discussed (e.g., Section 2/4/6 reorder, future-focus language); deferred to next week (April 24 10AM/10:30 post-health update).

Key Discussion Points

  • Eisenhour: Community issue; Sheriff/Prosecutor consulted; state legislative lane [00:57:28–00:59:56].
  • Dean: Section 2 future no-funds directive "defangs" censure [01:00:11–01:01:48].
  • Sheriff Nole: Oath to enforce laws; slippery slope; already low priority [01:08:07–01:11:26].
  • Prosecutor Kennedy: Legislative fix needed; rare prosecutions tied to dealing/traffic [01:11:47–01:15:01].
  • Amendments: Remove war-on-drugs/Section 4 all-drugs; Section 2/3/6 reorder; future law change focus [01:15:29–01:27:04].
  • Brotherton: Decrim vs. legalization discussion needed [02:01:18–02:02:44].

Public Comments

  • Christa Demo: Trauma precedes drug use; entheogens heal cycles.
  • Tom Thiersch: Retain war-on-drugs; use budget control.
  • Unnamed: Decrim avoids Oregon commercialization/inequity.
  • Dan Marillion (Port Ludlow): Differentiate entheogens; VA studies.
  • Jenny Grace (mother/healer): Stand for heart; personal/veteran healing.
  • Cheryl: Nature's order evolves; education prevents misuse.
  • Andy Fisher Price: Ceremonies inspire community; history favors change.
  • Rebecca Alertiki: Peer support equitable; relational healing.
  • Juan Carlos: No binary harm reduction/law; non-commercial.
  • Aaron: State decrim possible; protects peer models if regulated legalization passes.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft resolution (Sections 1-6); prior BOH (2021)/PT City (2021) resolutions; studies (psilocybin/MDMA).

Financials

Future: No county funds for entheogen enforcement "when reasonably possible."

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Remove war-on-drugs/Section 4 (all-drugs public health).
  • Section 2: "Future" no-funds; reorder 2/3/6; add "safe" qualifiers.
  • Decrim vs. legalization debate.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Deferred with amendments; revisit next week ~10:30.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Refine draft (Eisenhour/Dean); Prosecutor/Sheriff input; action next Monday.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information