“Magic mushrooms” are now on the ballot in the city.
The ordinance’s text seeks to “deprioritize, to the greatest extent possible” criminal penalties imposed by the City of Denver “for the personal use and personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms.”
So although it doesn’t legalize the mushrooms, I-301 would “prohibit the city from spending resources to impose criminal penalties” on those who have them.
The drugs have long been popular for recreational use. But a growing body of medical research shows that psilocybin can treat conditions like anxiety and depression, in cases where drugs currently on the market cannot.
Denver has led the nation in changing drug policy
CNN reached out to group behind the measure, Decriminalize Denver, but hasn’t received a response yet.
On its website, Decriminalize Denver says, “Humans have used these mushrooms for thousands of years for healing, rites of passage, spiritual insight, strengthening community, and raising consciousness,”
The group also argues that “One arrest is too many for something with such low and manageable risks for most people, relative to its potential benefits.”
“Denver is quickly becoming the illicit drug capital of the world,” Hunt said. “The truth is we have no idea what the long-term health effects of these drugs are going to do to the people of Colorado.”
If passed, the initiative also includes a requirement for the city to establish a “policy review panel to assess and report on the effects of the ordinance.”
Source : CNN