When plants and substances linked to spirituality move from the forests to the corridors of modern legislation, it is essential that the voices of those who have preserved this ancestral knowledge be heard. This is the case of indigenous peoples, whose wisdom about entheogens has been shaped for centuries, and who now see their practices and territories at stake as the legalization of psychedelics is being discussed, according to information from El Planteo.

Vital Voices in the Conversation

In a global scenario where substances like psilocybin, mescaline (found in Peyote), and ayahuasca are increasingly debated for therapeutic or recreational purposes, many warn: the trajectory of the cannabis market shows how regulation can exclude precisely those who have historically contributed to this knowledge, in this case, indigenous peoples.

These communities demand, before any regulations, or at the same time, to be recognized as essential interlocutors, that their sovereignty be respected, and that their knowledge not be commodified without consent. 
Risks, Reflections, and Possible Paths

There is more than simple debates about “legal” or “illegal”: the conservation of territories, respect for traditional medicine, and the right to decide on rituals and sacred plants are at stake. For example, peyote is at risk not only due to legal issues but also due to market and environmental pressures.

Some communities do not seek to enter the “legal market” as competitors; what they actually desire is for their knowledge to be respected and not to be forced to adhere to capitalist regulation models to continue existing and practicing their rituals.

Therefore, the development of policies involving psychedelics must include: prior and informed consultation, clear paths of participation for indigenous communities, recognition of their specific uses and knowledge, and the safeguarding of their lands and practices before being “regulated” without being heard.

With information from El Planteo.