JOSEPH – The Joseph City Council held a special meeting Thursday night to readopt an ordinance banning psilocybin service centers and manufacturers, setting up a final vote by residents in November.
The council originally passed the ban in September 2025 with an emergency declaration. However, officials were later advised that the situation may not legally qualify for an emergency clause. Thursday’s vote repeals the emergency tag and re-passes the measure as a standard ordinance to ensure its legal validity.
Under Oregon law, any decision on psilocybin businesses must be approved by voters. The ballot measure will let Joseph voters decide in November whether to prohibit psilocybin providers and manufacturers within city limits.
Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in certain types of fungi, commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” Under state law, the compound must be consumed at a state-licensed service center under the supervision of a licensed facilitator.
Oregon voters passed Measure 109 in 2020, allowing psilocybin manufacturing and supervised consumption statewide while allowing local jurisdictions to opt-out. Wallowa County voters approve a ban in 2022 that only applies to unincorporated areas.
