BALLOT TITLE: 

Caption: Prohibits psilocybin businesses within the City of Lake Oswego.

Question: Shall the City of Lake Oswego prohibit psilocybin service centers and the manufacture of psilocybin products within the City?

Summary: State law authorizes the manufacturing, transportation, delivery, sale, and purchase of psilocybin, the psychedelic drug found in certain mushrooms, in Oregon. A city may “opt-out” by adopting an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of licensed psilocybin product manufacturers and/or psilocybin service centers within their boundaries. A city that “opts-in” may also adopt local time, place, and manner restrictions on psilocybin product manufacturers and/or psilocybin service centers that are in addition to those already imposed by state law.

The City adopted an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of psilocybin product manufacturers and psilocybin service center operators (collectively, “psilocybin facilities”) within the City. State law requires that this ordinance must be approved by the voters before it may take effect. The City Council also adopted an ordinance imposing local time, place, and manner restrictions on psilocybin facilities in addition to those already imposed by state law.

Approval of this measure would prohibit psilocybin facilities within the City. Rejection of the measure would allow psilocybin facilities within the City subject to state and local restrictions.

Explanatory Statement: This measure asks whether or not to allow businesses related to psilocybin, a substance found in certain mushrooms, to operate in Lake Oswego.

In 2020, Oregon passed a law (Measure 109) allowing psilocybin to be made, delivered, and used in licensed facilities across the state. These businesses are called “psilocybin-related businesses.” However, the state also lets local governments, like the one in Lake Oswego, decide if they want to ban these  businesses within their city limits. A ban must be approved by the city’s voters. The Lake Oswego City Council has adopted an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of psilocybin-related businesses within the city and, as a result, has referred this measure to the voters.

The Lake Oswego City Council has also adopted local rules for psilocybin-related businesses on top of what state law requires.  The local rules are aimed at protecting children in childcare facilities close to psilocybin businesses, distancing marijuana and psilocybin businesses, and clarifying zoning between mixed-use and residential. For detailed information about the local restrictions, visit https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/all-projects and in the “Search” box enter LU 23-0001. 

If you vote "Yes" on this measure, psilocybin-related businesses will continue to be banned in Lake Oswego. If you vote "No," these businesses will be allowed, but they will need to follow state and local Lake Oswego rules. 

Submitted by:
       Kari Linder, City Recorder
       City of Lake Oswego