The Decriminalise Nature Movement: Bridging Spirituality, Ecology, and Justice Through Entheogens

4th Jan 2026

In 2021, Denver, Colorado, became a landmark in the shifting global conversation around psychoactive substances when it voted to deprioritise criminal penalties for psilocybin mushrooms. This was not a mere policy tweak but a ripple in the growing Decriminalise Nature movement—a bold vision that seeks to realign humanity’s relationship with the Earth, its ecosystems, and the profound tools of consciousness embedded within them. At its heart lies a radical premise: that the criminalisation of plants and fungi—long revered by Indigenous cultures as sacred teachers—has severed our spiritual, ethical, and ecological ties to the natural world. Let’s explore how this movement fuses environmentalism, social justice, and the ancient wisdom of entheogens to chart a transformative path forward.

What is Decriminalise Nature?

Decriminalise Nature is both a legal initiative and a philosophical framework. It advocates for the removal of criminal penalties for the use, possession, and cultivation of entheogens—plants and fungi like psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, ololiuqui, and others that have historically induced spiritual or healing experiences. Unlike legalisation, which imposes regulatory structures, decriminalisation shifts law enforcement priorities, allowing communities to engage with these substances through cultural, therapeutic, or personal frameworks rather than punitive ones.

The movement is rooted in the belief that these natural entities are not “drugs” to be controlled but kin to be respected. Their decriminalisation, proponents argue, is a step toward repairing the violence of the War on Drugs and restoring reciprocity with the Earth.

Entheogens: Nature’s Sacred Languages

Entheogens—derived from the Greek entheos (divine within)—have long been bridges between human consciousness and the natural world. For centuries, Indigenous Amazonian communities have brewed ayahuasca in ceremonies to heal trauma and commune with spirits; Native American traditions have used peyote in sacred rituals; and Mesoamerican cultures have revered psilocybin mushrooms as “flesh of the gods.” These practices are not about recreation but connection: to ancestors, to ecosystems, and to an awareness of humanity’s interdependence with all life.

Yet colonialism and modern industrialism have pathologised these plants, severing their cultural contexts and criminalising their use. The Decriminalise Nature movement seeks to rebuke this legacy, asserting that legal frameworks must honour the wisdom of those who’ve lived in harmony with entheogens for millennia.

The Philosophy: Ancestral Wisdom and Ecological Kinship

The movement’s philosophy is a tapestry of ideas. It draws from Deep Ecology, which views human beings as one species among many, and animism, which sees spiritual agency in all living things. It champions biocentric ethics, arguing that nature’s inherent value is not conditional on human utility. By decriminalising entheogens, the movement aims to dismantle the “dominion over nature” mindset that underpins environmental degradation.

At its core is a recognition that entheogens expand consciousness, often revealing ecological truths. Many who undergo journeys with psilocybin or ayahuasca report profound shifts in empathy for the planet, describing forests as “living networks” or oceans as “sibling entities.” This aligns with scientific discoveries, such as fungi’s role in mycorrhizal networks that sustain trees, echoing Indigenous metaphors of “mother Earth’s veins.”

The Modern Case for Decriminalisation

Proponents argue decriminalisation addresses three urgent issues:

Therapeutic Potential: Peer-reviewed studies show entheogens can treat PTSD, depression, and addiction. Decriminalising them would remove barriers to access, allowing more people to heal.
Social Justice: Over 10 million people worldwide have been criminalised for entheogen possession, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities. Decriminalisation is a corrective.
Environmental Stewardship: Legalising cultivation and trade could reduce illegal harvesting, which decimates ecosystems. For example, overharvesting of Peyote cacti has driven them to near-extinction in some areas; regulated programs could prioritise sustainability.

Cities like Oakland and Santa Cruz have pioneered policies that protect entheogens as indigenous heritage, while Oregon’s 2020 initiative (Measure 109) established a framework for psilocybin therapy. These are not just legal experiments—they are experiments in ecological and cultural healing.

Challenges and Controversies

Critics raise valid concerns. Without cultural context, entheogens risk being commodified—stripped of their spiritual essence. Overharvesting of wild plants, if regulation falters, could also threaten biodiversity. Moreover, decriminalisation alone does not dismantle systemic injustices; it must accompany broader reparations for Indigenous communities.

The movement responds with humility. Decriminalise Nature emphasises education, cultural equity, and partnership with Indigenous groups, advocating for legal frameworks that protect traditional knowledge and ensure stewardship of sacred ecosystems.

Looking Ahead: A Future Rooted in Reciprocity

The Decriminalise Nature movement is more than a policy change—it is a call to reimagine humanity’s role in the web of life. By decriminalising these natural teachers, it invites us to ask: What if healing the self also healed the Earth?

As initiatives spread from the U.S. to countries like Canada and Brazil, the movement challenges us to listen—not just to scientific data or political rhetoric, but to the wisdom of the more-than-human world. In the words of ayahuasca elder Mestre Irineu: “The vine does not come to you because you are special. It comes because you are ready to change.”

In this unfolding renaissance of ecological consciousness, Decriminalise Nature is not merely about freeing plants. It’s about freeing humanity to remember its place in the dance of life.

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See also the Netflix documentary series: How To Change Your Mind.

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80229847?preventIntent=true

Websites:

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: MAPS.ORG.

King’s College London: Psychoactive Trials Group:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/psychoactive-trials-group

Imperial College: Centre for Psychedelic Research:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/psychoactive-trials-group

The Beckley Foundation: The Beckley/Imperial Psychedelic Research Programme:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/psychoactive-trials-group

The Mental Health Research Centre: Maudsley Hospital: