​Denver becomes first US city to decriminalize magic mushrooms

Denver, a city famous for blazing the trail for marijuana's legalization in municipalities and states all over the nation, has become the first US city to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.

The advocacy group Decriminalize Denver submitted petitions to Denver's Election Division back in January in order to get a measure on the city's ballot during its May election that would decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.

A vote for "yes" on "Initiated Ordinance 301, Psilocybin Mushroom Initiative" which appeared on Tuesday's ballot would make "adult possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms the lowest law enforcement priority in Denver" and would prohibit the city "from spending resources on enforcing related penalties." This means while possession of psilocybin mushrooms is still technically illegal, cops will not take much notice if they find an individual in possession of them.

After trailing in results on Tuesday night, the final numbers have shown a reversal of fortune - with Initiative 301 passing narrowly with 50.6 per cent of the vote. The total stands at 89,320 votes in favor and 87,341 against.

The Denver Elections Division has not yet certified the results as they are still accepting military and overseas ballots (which are typically small). The final results will be certified on May 16.

Groups in California proposed similar legislation back in 2017 to try and reach a statewide ballot but it never saw the light of day.

Various studies have revealed that psychedelic mushrooms have had effective clinical outcomes in treating patients for depression.

[Via: Denver Post]

Cameron is Mixmag's Jr. Editor. Follow him on Twitter

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