Denver is the country’s first city to de-prioritize enforcement of the hallucinogen.
“WE WON!!!!” announced Decriminalize Denver after city elections officials released final preliminary results late Wednesday. The measure, 301, passed with 50.56% in favor to 49.44% opposed, a slim margin that is nevertheless outside the mandatory recount margin.
“It’s a signal to the rest of the country that at least here in Denver we are ready to start remove some of these substances off the controlled substances list,” said Kevin Matthews, 33, who organized the decriminalization campaign. “A lot of people who signed our petition said they are tired to see people going to jail over what they choose to put in their body.”
Advocates say the mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogen psilocybin, have been used for thousands of years and may provide an alternative treatment for opiate addiction and mental health troubles, as well as spiritual insight. Users report bright lights and colors and a sense of connection with something greater than themselves.
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