Dear community,
Over the past few years, we stepped into the political arena believing it was a natural evolution of our work. This process has taught us something important:
Our greatest impact is not in political theatre, it is in community.
We no longer have the capacity to expend energy advocating within systems that claim to value community voices while failing to create change that reflects them. Continuing to operate in that space diminishes our ability to do the work we feel truly matters.
If you would like to see psychedelics decriminalized alongside a therapeutic program, reach out to your local representatives sharing testimonials on the importance of the decrim bill (HF 2699) alongside the therapeutic bill. Additionally, you can share this testimonial in person at a hearing for the therapy bill in the Health Committee either the week of March 9 or March 16, 2026. You can reach out to Jessica Nielson for these hearing details.
We will not be investing any energy in these efforts moving forward. We have seen time and time again, the inadequate approach our government takes with these matters and we can no longer rationalize our advocacy efforts in this space.
Protecting our mental health and sustaining direct impact requires us to be intentional with where our energy goes. Energy is a valuable resource, and we are choosing to invest where it creates tangible change and values are truly aligned.
We remain deeply committed to equitable access, community care, and integrity. We will continue focusing on:
• Direct community support and mutual care
• Developing the community mushroom lab
• Hosting conversations that deepen understanding and fellowship with each other and nature
• Continuing to grow our annual gathering, Mycelia Fest happening August 15th & 16th at the Hook and Ladder
• Creating spaces rooted in authenticity, learning, and connection
We will continue to support conversations around psychedelics grounded in integrity, accessibility, and community wisdom.
This journey has connected us with incredible people doing meaningful work. It has also revealed the challenges of a rapidly mainstreaming psychedelic space, where authenticity can become harder to find and accessibility becomes a marketing term rather than a lived value. We remain committed to integrity, rooted relationships, and community accountability.
While we are not opposed to therapeutic programs, we cannot support a model that legalizes therapy without also decriminalizing psychedelics for the broader public. A therapy-only framework creates access for a small few while leaving many behind. It risks reinforcing systems of exclusion, allowing profit-driven interests to dominate the space, and continues to oppress the very people who have carried this work forward for generations.
True accessibility is not a buzzword. It means no one is subject to criminalization for growing, sourcing, sharing, or engaging with these medicines. It means equal opportunity for growth and development. Therapeutic access must exist alongside decriminalization, not instead of it.
If no one were at risk of criminalization, there would be no need for legislation at all. The reality is that prohibition still carries serious consequences. People remain in hiding, creativity is suppressed, discoveries are delayed, and stigma persists. We are of the mindset that it takes time to legislate with intention and equity at the forefront. This is counterintuitive to the politician who prioritizes “getting it done” at any and all costs.
We are grateful for the relationships built through this work. As we move forward, we feel renewed clarity about where our energy belongs: nurturing community, fostering access, and cultivating spaces where people can gather, learn, and grow together.
We are especially excited for what’s ahead! A truly special year of Mycelia Fest and continued opportunities to connect through our gatherings, conversations, and community projects.
Thank you for being part of this evolving journey.
With care and commitment,
The Mycelia’s