ANN ARBOR, MI – It may not have the same ring as “free the weed,” but there’s a new slogan being uttered in certain circles.

“Decriminalize nature.”

Now that recreational marijuana is legal in Michigan, a push is underway to decriminalize other plants like peyote, and psychedelic mushrooms, also known as shrooms or “magic” mushrooms.

A group called Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor, or DNA2, is hoping Ann Arbor can help lead the way in Michigan.

“We will be asking City Council to decriminalize all of the healing and teaching plants,” said Chuck Ream, a longtime cannabis activist in Ann Arbor who is involved in the campaign.

The group wants City Council to approve a resolution to prohibit use of funds by any city department to investigate, arrest or prosecute anyone for entheogenic plants and fungi, and prohibit any city activities that assist the enforcement of laws against those substances.

“These substances are naturally occurring in our environment and they’ve been used for healing for very long periods of time and we think Ann Arbor is a very good next step to decriminalize these substances,” said Julie Barron, campaign director.

The group also is asking city leaders to voice support for ending enforcement and changing laws around such substances at the county, state and federal levels.

The group is hosting a “Meet Your Local Psychedelic Professionals” panel discussion and campaign fundraiser on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor on Friday night, Sept. 13.

The event takes place 7-9 p.m. in the fourth-floor amphitheater at the Rackham Building, 915 E. Washington St.

The group’s stated mission is to improve human health and wellbeing, arguing entheogenic plants and fungi have many beneficial uses, including helping people deal with depression and anxiety.

They also can catalyze profound experiences of personal and spiritual growth, said Barron, founder of both Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor and the Michigan Psychedelic Society in Ann Arbor.

The group envisions “happier, healthier individuals and communities reconnected to nature.”

Barron said she works as a therapist in Ann Arbor, practicing psychedelic-integration therapy. That involves helping people who’ve had psychedelic experiences process them and put lessons learned and healing into their everyday lives, she said.

“The biggest thing I think these things do is give us a level of connection we are missing, a connection with ourselves, a connection to other people and a connection to nature,” she said.

“I think that’s the true healing these substances provide. And it gives us a way to zoom out of our lives and look at it from a different perspective and lens.”

The group is inviting people to learn more at its next meeting from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 2 at Sunward Cohousing, 424 Little Lake Drive.