Denver to become first US city to decriminalize 'magic mushrooms'

Denver will become the first city in the United States to decriminalize magic mushrooms, based on final unofficial results of a ballot. Picture: Richard Vogel/AP

Denver will become the first city in the United States to decriminalize magic mushrooms, based on final unofficial results of a ballot. Picture: Richard Vogel/AP

Published May 9, 2019

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Denver - Denver will become the first city in the

United States to decriminalize magic mushrooms, based on final

unofficial results on Wednesday of a ballot initiative about the

hallucinogenic drug.

The initiative called for Colorado's capital to end the

imposition of criminal penalties for individuals at least 21

years of age for using or possessing psilocybin, widely known as

magic mushrooms.

The Denver Elections Divisions will certify results on May

16, but the final count on its website on Wednesday was 50.56

percent of voters in favour and 49.44 percent against.

If the initiative is approved, psilocybin would still remain

illegal under both Colorado and federal law. The U.S. Drug

Enforcement Administration classifies the drug as a Schedule 1

substance, meaning the agency has deemed that it has a high

potential for abuse with no accepted medical application.

Decriminalize Denver, the group behind Tuesday's ballot

question, said psilocybin had a wide range of medical benefits.

It has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety and to help

in treating tobacco, alcohol and opioid addictions, and with

alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

according to the organization.

Some opponents worry that if passed, the initiative would

increase the city’s image as a haven for drugs, given that

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize possession and

sale of marijuana for adult recreational use.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann opposed the initiative.

But if the measure were approved, she supported formation of a

review panel under the initiative to study the effects of the

drug and the impact the ordinance would have on Denver,

spokeswoman Carolyn Tyler said.

Denver residents first voted to decriminalize marijuana

possession in 2004, years before Colorado voters ultimately

approved its legalization statewide for recreational purposes,

establishing a full regulatory framework to license retail

outlets and collect sales taxes on cannabis products. 

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