Indigogo Fundraising - LEGALLY Munching Magic Mushrooms in Marvelous Melbourne!! :-)

[GregKasarik]

Please note that I am quite busy organising this event and working full time, so may not be able to respond to comments for a few days.

Solid support of this initiative will make it clear to the politicians that we are a genuine community and not to be taken lightly.

https://www.facebook.com/events/347468442049114/

Raising $33,333.33 as initial funding for a community space for the Australian Entheogenic community and as a space where people in Victoria can LEGALLY experience journeys into the Divine Consciousness using Transcendent Compounds.

*Transcendent Compounds are those Entheogens that are non-addictive, non-toxic and psychologically safe in an appropriate dose, set and setting. The term is important, both for legal reasons and because it does what it says on the label.

This is an audacious event that, if successful will change the status of Transcendent Compounds within Australia and perhaps even around the world and bring the community of users into the perceptions of the mainstream community in a positive way. It will need the full support of people all over the globe if it is to have any hope of succeeding.

We have a week before commencement. In that time I need everybody who cares about our future to spread the word. Invite your friends to this event. Post on forums that you frequent. Get the news out there that the world is changing and that the change is starting with the passion of 10,000 repressed voices!

Ask yourself: "How much are my freedoms worth to me?" and donate accordingly.

My guess is that the freedom to openly express your spirituality, share the wisdom and spread the healing without harassment, persecution and the overwhelming sense of fear that pervades our every move should easily be worth $100+ to most people with full time employment. Given that, I am hoping that this target is reached within a matter of weeks.

On 18 Jun 2013, I will be opening up a fund raising event on Indigogo. It will go for 60 days and while I estimate I will eventually need to raise $100,000, my initial target is a third of that: $33,000, which should be enough for initial operations.

The money will be used to rent a shopfront that can be used as a community space. This space will aim to provide several things both to the Entheogenic and broader community generally.

1. It will be a space where we can gather and meet like minded people and where new people can find entry into our wonderful community. It will be a place from which we can visibly launch our healing work into the community and demonstrate to the general population that we are a valuable addition to society and not a menace.

2. Many people in society exist in a state of existential crisis. There is simply nowhere for them to go if they wish to discuss issues of meaning, purpose and existence, without having someone's dogma forced down their throats. This will provide such a location. It will be a space where anybody can come to discuss and explore meaning of life issues, such as purpose, destiny and metaphysics. It will hopefully become a philosophical wonderland. Discussion will be governed by the "Principles" on which Community of Infinite Colour is founded. The first of these is that "There is no TRUTH". Each person needs to figure life and meaning out for themselves and Community is about building a society where gurus and dogmas are obsolete and the recognition is that "The First Disciple is always the First Heretic". Discussions become discussions among equals where everyone commits to being both teacher and student (and yes, I admit I do sometimes have difficulty with the latter!).

The philosophy is based on an intersection of Philosophical Rationalism, Scientific Rationalism and Mysticism. Personally, I don't do conspiracy theories, Astrology, or fairly much any of the New Age stuff, but I respect the views of those who do (although I will challenge you every step of the way - don't worry, I'm just as hard on myself!).

I know that some will not support me because of this, preferring that their pet theories got star billing, but until someone else has the courage to go down a similar path, I'm the only dog in the show and not supporting me because of something like this will only make things harder for us all, should I fail.

3. It will be a space where people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives can receive pastoral care and an escape from isolation. This will be provided by myself (scheduled around my own work commitments until enough funding is raised to pay me a living wage). I am a trained and experienced counsellor, but have been unable to find work in this area for for three years because of my drug law reform work. This will provide the perfect space for me to put my talents to use and allow me to do what I am best at: Helping people.

4. Anyone who has been following my activities for the last three years will know that I have a nearly watertight legal argument to the effect that Transcendent Compounds ARE LEGAL WITHIN THE STATE OF VICTORIA FOR SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS PURPOSES!

*Please note: kasarik.com is currently down. I will post relevant links once it returns to service.

Community of Infinite Colour is a spiritual organisation (although for legal reasons it will be kept unincorporated, thereby ensuring that I bear sole legal responsibility for all of its activities) and as part of this I will be providing the opportunity for ordinary folk to use Transcendent Compounds. Initially, this will be quite limited and only symbolic, so as to give the Government time to adjust and so that if any arrests are made not too many people are caught up in it.

While it is not the main purpose of the space, the existence of an an actual spiritual organisation, Community of Infinite Colour, will force the Government to accept our validity as a spiritual community and abide by the provisions of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006). Of course, they could arrest me and drag me through the High Court of Australia, where they will inevitably lose: I will pack the court with so much science and so many expert witnesses that they will rue the day they ever sought to demonise and persecute such ancient and wise teachers.

Finally, they could alter the wording of the Charter to remove our rights, but in doing so they would be admitting that their position is based purely on bigotry and ignorance, rather than the decades of science that I have thus far used to avoid arrest.

The Victorian Parliament knows they do not have a leg to stand on with this. I have publically tripped three times on the steps of parliament without being bothered. I have even twice gone into a police station, told them about my use of sacred compounds and invited them to arrest me. On both times I walked out free.

It is my goal to force this issue this year, so that by 2014, everyone in Victoria (and by extension the ACT, because the Victorian act is based on theirs) has the legally recognised right to use Transcendent Compounds as part of their spiritual practice. This will not mean that your activities must go through Community of Infinite Colour to be legal. Both the Victorian and ACT acts give you the right to practice your religion (legal term) as an individual, if you choose.

My (probably highly optimistic) estimate of annual costs is $100,000 and this is the eventual target. This would allow me to be present at the site on a full time basis, perhaps relying on some volunteer asistance. For the moment, however, I am seeking enough to get the operation underway ($33,333.00) and to give the authorities the opportunity to respond however they wish. I have not yet determined a location, but my initial preference is for Camberwell, as this is the demographic centre of Melbourne and has excellent public transport and road access options.

I am committed to open accounting and it is my intention that all financial details and expenses will be made fully public on the internet within 60-90 days of them occurring. You will know how much we receive and what it all gets spent on - hopefully down to the last pen! :-)

This needs to be done!

I don't have official figures, but I guess that we are the largest growing spiritual community in many parts of the world, including Australia.

Despite this, I regularly encounter two things when speaking with members of the Entheogenic Community. Whenever I speak to people, they cry out for the need for a space that they can call their own; where they can meet and exchange ideas with those on a similar journey.

The second thing I regularly encounter is FEAR. I experience it myself (as I type this, I feel it sitting like a lump of dead coal in my chest) and it robs far too many of us of our vitality. We hide who we are and we lie to those we love, for fear of losing our families, jobs, friends and loved ones. If we are to ever thrive as a community and as individuals, we need to throw off the chains that bind us and make the firm decision that we, as a community, are going to be the authors of our own destinies.

The legal argument is as solid as it is ever going to be. If we don't act now, we risk missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Similarly, I feel that there is now a critical mass for change within the Entheogenic Community. Entheogenesis Australis (EGA), who so courageously led the way are now more than a decade old. Each year sees a profusion of books and research and a greater profusion of evidence that our path is not only safe and sacred, but highly beneficial to those with the courage to make the journey.

I fully acknowledge that this action will produce a backlash amongst the more fanatical and intolerant members of our society. But this backlash is coming one way, or another. In a decade EGA went from a handful of people in a community room to nearly seven hundred at a four day outdoor conference in the Strathbogie Ranges. With this kind of growth it will only be a few more years before we fall victim to the hatreds of other and I firmly believe that our best hope lies in taking the initiative and demonstrating to our fellow citizens that we are not "druggies", but are instead worthwhile and contributing members of society.

Edited June 10, 2013 by GregKasarik

[Shamanistic]

While I don't agree with you 100% on all things, for example your inclusion of Ketamine as a 'Transcendental Compound' which is known to be accutely addictive though you may have changed your stance on this compound I am unsure, I do agree with the basic premise that we should be allowed to ingest these compounds if that is our desire and our actions do not hurt anyone. I think more people who disagree with you should look at the similarities of our various ideals than the differences. I admire your persistance and your willingness to take on our fight in a form that no one else does. I'll be donating what I can in your campaign.

[Mycot]

Shrooms are the way to go.

We need to stop the war against life and nature.

And shrooms are fun guys.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Mycot

[Yeti101]

I don't have much in the way of monetary support to contribute unfortunately. But I am very interested to see how this will go. Greg, do you think that attempting this in a federal election year will effect the outcome? I agree that the Victorian pollies have tried very hard to ignore you so far, but it is going to be increasingly hard for them to continue to do so.

Would write more but have a head full of coffee and a brain fried from a morning of uni work (1200 words in 2.5 hours) so I'm off to do something that doesn't involve reading or writing.

[Scarecrow]

Wow, this sounds like an ambitious project. I definitely support your idea, but I find it very hard to believe that there are loopholes in the law big enough for this to be allowed. As such I'm curious to hear Torsten's opinion on the legality of this.

[incognito]

Just don't have 100 hippys having psychotic episodes in the middle of a major city. Hardly the way to gain acceptance for psychedelic compounds!!! I disagree with Greg so afar as saying that as much benefit these compounds can have for an individual, the community and society as a whole, so to can they cause substantial damage. The foolhardy approach will not work, asides for quenching the egos of organisers. I see this biting u fair on the ass Greg.

[Idon'tstudydinosaurs]

Negative connotations of psychedelics have been drummed into the wider population of contemporary society for a long time. It will take a lot to change that perception.

For example, media will almost always portray the story about an individual who has no idea what they are doing and jumps off a building while under the influence over the person who has knowledge about these issues and cures his reoccurring migraines with the use of these objects.

It's a ambitious plan and hopefully it just portrays the correct message.

[Francois le Danque]

Hey Greg I totally support this idea. I wish i still lived in Camberwell! A psychedelic drop-in centre would be a very cool place to hang out. What side of town would you think?

Personally I would try to put such a venue in a more trendy location with less pompous rich people. I know these are the kinds of people who need convincing but i think that should come later, after establishing a stronghold, rather than move in on their turf from the get-go. That being said I'm so glad the movement is attaining such momentum and attention.

It's time to stop substance- and spirituality-based discrimination!

[prier]

Sounds like someone needs to move to Nimbin.

[Stillman]

I think people wouldn't use it anyway. Can you imagine how regularly the place would be raided. what a Nightmare that would be with a head full of colour.

[gilligan]

Lotsa pretty blue tones in the nightmare though...

[trivial]

woooow good work mate, ill support ya

[GregKasarik]

While I don't agree with you 100% on all things, for example your inclusion of Ketamine as a 'Transcendental Compound' which is known to be accutely addictive though you may have changed your stance on this compound I am unsure, I do agree with the basic premise that we should be allowed to ingest these compounds if that is our desire and our actions do not hurt anyone. I think more people who disagree with you should look at the similarities of our various ideals than the differences. I admire your persistance and your willingness to take on our fight in a form that no one else does. I'll be donating what I can in your campaign.

Thanks for your support!!:-)

I should also point out that I don't include ketamine as a Transcendent Compound and haven't from the beginning. I can understand your confusion, because I was intensely criticised for my stance on these forums after the John Safran interview and that probably muddied the waters a bit.

[GregKasarik]

I don't have much in the way of monetary support to contribute unfortunately. But I am very interested to see how this will go. Greg, do you think that attempting this in a federal election year will effect the outcome? I agree that the Victorian pollies have tried very hard to ignore you so far, but it is going to be increasingly hard for them to continue to do so.

Would write more but have a head full of coffee and a brain fried from a morning of uni work (1200 words in 2.5 hours) so I'm off to do something that doesn't involve reading or writing.

I've spoken to Greg Chipp from Drug Law Reform Australia and people from the Sex Party, but none of us think that this issue will have much of an impact Federally, if for no other reason than there is so much else going on.

Having said that, if it takes off and gets some media coverage it could help parties that are sympathetic to Drug Law Reform to gain some attention and hopefully to gain some extra first preference votes and be in a better position to scoop other preferences in order to stumble over the line.

Know what you mean. My head is full of pain killers, so I sympathise with your fried brain! :-)

[GregKasarik]

Just don't have 100 hippys having psychotic episodes in the middle of a major city. Hardly the way to gain acceptance for psychedelic compounds!!! I disagree with Greg so afar as saying that as much benefit these compounds can have for an individual, the community and society as a whole, so to can they cause substantial damage. The foolhardy approach will not work, asides for quenching the egos of organisers. I see this biting u fair on the ass Greg.

It might bite me fair on the arse, but what I do know is that if I don't try, I will definitely fail. :-)

The whole handing out mushrooms is going to be more symbolic from the start than actual. If nothing else, I don't want to get other people in trouble should the hammer fall.

The idea isn't to have people tripping at the centre itself. If nothing else, it would be far too busy and a bad setting for most people, so we'd look to use a quieter, more private space for that. The idea would be to make it clear that we'll be facilitating journeys for people who wish to partake, but even then we are going to be way cautious from the outset, so as to ensure that people aren't going to be harmed.

We'll be looking at doing a full psych eval for everyone and using the data to do some groundbreaking research into how personality impacts the experience.

Negative connotations of psychedelics have been drummed into the wider population of contemporary society for a long time. It will take a lot to change that perception. For example, media will almost always portray the story about an individual who has no idea what they are doing and jumps off a building while under the influence over the person who has knowledge about these issues and cures his reoccurring migraines with the use of these objects. It's a ambitious plan and hopefully it just portrays the correct message.

Yup, media can be right buggers and I'm sure that they'll continue down that path if and when they finally pick up on this story.

All I can do is be the best and most sensible person and invite people to come in and talk to me in person, so they get to meet the real "me" rather than the demonised version that will most likely emerge.

Hey Greg I totally support this idea. I wish i still lived in Camberwell! A psychedelic drop-in centre would be a very cool place to hang out. What side of town would you think?

Personally I would try to put such a venue in a more trendy location with less pompous rich people. I know these are the kinds of people who need convincing but i think that should come later, after establishing a stronghold, rather than move in on their turf from the get-go. That being said I'm so glad the movement is attaining such momentum and attention.

It's time to stop substance- and spirituality-based discrimination!

I think that there are arguments both ways with respect to location. One of the problems with going with a "stronghold" location is that a big part of what I do aims to normalise the use of these substances for spiritual purposes and setting up in a more inner city location will make it easier for conservatives to disregard us as a bunch of lefties. Camberwell is blue ribbon Liberal Party territory and it is they who need to see that we are caring people who want to help others in our society flourish.

One of the advantages that it has for me is that I've been hanging around Camberwell for decades, know a fair number of people. and have a good feel for the place.

I'd prefer to be able to set up near either Camberwell, or Glenferrie stations, but ultimately that will depend on how successful my fundraising efforts are.

Sounds like someone needs to move to Nimbin.

LOL!

I've always thought that Nimbin was the biggest mistake of the Australian drug community. How on earth can you have any impact on politics if you situate yourself 800 km from the state capital?

I live about 90 km from the centre of Melbourne and find the isolation and additional complications to be a real hindrance to my ability to get anything done.

I think people wouldn't use it anyway. Can you imagine how regularly the place would be raided. what a Nightmare that would be with a head full of colour.

Another reason why I don't want people tripping at the shopfront location itself. The idea is that any raiding that gets done happens to me first, so that we can test our legal arguments in court.

Having said this, given that the police have refused to arrest me, even when I've walked into a police station and admitted the use of LSD for spiritual purposes and that nobody has ever come to investigate the mushrooms that everyone knows are in my freezer, I'm hoping to call the Government's bluff on this issue.

Although I think that you are correct and that people will stay away in droves until they can be certain that their attendance won't cost them their livelihoods, family and health. Once people have a sense of certainty, I think we'll see all sorts of similar things spring up overnight.

[GregKasarik]

Just to let people know that the Indigogo event went live on Sunday evening, although it is tracking very poorly, with only $73 dollars being raised thus far.

I've been dealing with a tooth infection that has mostly prevented me from doing anything apart from working and sleeping. Once it has been dealt with I'll be looking to make some significant efforts to ramp this up and get the message out to as many people as possible.

Together we can make this happen and we can demonstrate to the world that we are a genuine spiritual community and not just a pack of druggies.

And for those who don't regard themselves as being part of any (let alone my) spiritual community, I'd still encourage you to donate, because this will move us all in the direction that we want, even if it won't give all of us everything that we want.

Greg

Changing the world - One mushroom at a time! :-)

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/community-space-legally-munching-magic-mushrooms-in-marvelous-melbourne/x/3447805

Edited June 27, 2013 by GregKasarik