A code of ethics for self-regulation

Without clear legal regulation, the Federation's member organisations set common rules for themselves. What the FERM Code of Ethics says and why it is a living tool.

In Spain, work with entheogens is not regulated. Faced with that gap, the Red Micelio Federation has chosen the path of self-regulation: a code of ethics shared by all member organisations, which they commit to in writing and which is reviewed over time. The current version dates from June 2023.

Four dimensions

The code is organised into three sections and an appended point, covering the dimensions in which freedom and responsibility are exercised:

Hacia los guías (Towards guides). Integrity and ethics; explicit measures to prevent abuse of power, financial abuse or sexual abuse; not going beyond one's own training; a written emergency protocol; financial contributions to cover costs, and no open sale of sessions or commercialisation of entheogens.
Hacia los participantes (Towards participants). A prior interview and health questionnaire; information on benefits and risks; support before, during and after the experience; confidentiality; no sexual interaction during the session, and a confidential mailbox for reporting practices contrary to the code.
Hacia la colectividad (Towards the wider community). Mutual help between organisations, objective and truthful information, no marketing techniques or open advertising of ceremonies, and no exclusion on racist, homophobic or classist grounds.
Hacia la comunidad indígena (Towards the Indigenous community). Dignity, sustainability, respect and reciprocity with native peoples; defence of their right to travel with their sacred plants and to hold their ceremonies, and the fight against biopiracy and cultural appropriation.

A living tool

The code itself describes itself as «revisable y renovable» (open to review and renewal). It does not seek to impose a single way of working, but to build common ground between different lineages, approaches and traditions. Organisations read and discuss it internally before joining, and those who guide sessions must make it known to their teams of helpers, volunteers and hosts.

You can read the full text and download it as a PDF on the Code of Ethics page.