Vic Mensa has reportedly reached a plea deal and will avoid going to prison following his arrest earlier this year for psychedelic drug possession.
The Chicago MC pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of a schedule III controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to one year probation and 25 months of community service, according to TMZ. He was also fined $1,000.
As previously reported, Mensa was arrested in January at Dulles International Airport just outside of Washington, D.C., for attempting to bring LSD, mushrooms and other illegal drugs through customs. Customs and Border Protection officers “discovered about 41 grams of liquid Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), about 124 grams of Psilocybin capsules, 178 grams of Psilocybin gummies, and six grams of Psilocybin mushrooms concealed inside Mensa’s luggage,” a release from the agency says.
The “U Mad” rapper was charged with felony drug possession. He was returning from Ghana and posted photos on Instagram of him meeting government officials with Chance the Rapper.
Mensa claims he possessed the shrooms for medicinal purposes.
“Unfortunately, our laws have not kept up with the research showing that psychedelic plants and compounds can be successfully used to treat otherwise treatment-resistant mental illness,” he told TMZ.
Mensa added, “My hope is that the silver lining to this matter will be increased focus on the effectiveness of psychedelics to treat mental illness and mood disorders that millions are battling with depression and anxiety with hope that all of our laws will change accordingly.”
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.