A truly mind-altering experience is coming to Denver on Tuesday — as voters weigh whether to decriminalize “magic mushrooms.”
The Colorado capital could become the first city in the US to “deprioritize, to the greatest extent possible,” criminal penalties for possession of psilocybin, the psychoactive substance in ‘shrooms, which has been outlawed since the 1960s.
The measure, Initiated Ordinance 301, would make “personal use and personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms” by those 21 or older “the city’s lowest law-enforcement priority.”
If passed, the ordinance wouldn’t legalize mushrooms — but instead would “prohibit the city from spending resources to impose criminal penalties” for possession, according to the text.
The initiative follows the same tack as the city’s decriminalization of marijuana in 2005, which was followed by statewide legislation in 2012.
As with heroin and LSD, the federal government classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, saying it has no medical purpose and a high potential for abuse.
But advocates say “psychedelic mushrooms” can be used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other conditions.
“This is not something you have to take every day,” said Kevin Matthews, director of the Decriminalize Denver campaign, which is leading the effort. “It provides a lot of lasting benefits, weeks and months after one experience.”
Matthews said psilocybin has helped him deal with depression for years.
Some researchers warn that the compound should only be used under medical supervision and can prompt paranoia and anxiety.
Efforts to decriminalize psilocybin are not new. Last year, a similar measure failed to qualify for the statewide ballot in California. Organizers in Oregon, meanwhile, are trying to gain enough support to put an initiative to a statewide vote next year.
Advocates in Denver amassed 9,500 signatures to put the issue on Tuesday’s ballot.
Both Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and District Attorney Beth McCann have voiced opposition to decriminalizing psilocybin.
If passed, the ordinance would also establish an 11-member “Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel,” comprised of law enforcement officials, citizens and city officials, to analyze the results.
With Post wires
