Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Vote to decriminalize "magic mushrooms"

Associated Press (ap.org); Seth Auberon, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

A vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a pop-up cannabis market in Los Angeles on Monday, May 6, 2019. Voters decide this week whether Denver will become the first U.S. city to decriminalize the use of psilocybin, the psychedelic substance in "magic mushrooms."

Denver holds "magic mushroom" decriminalization vote

DENVER, Colorado - Voters today were deciding whether to make Denver the first U.S. city to decriminalize psilocybin -- the psychoactive substance in "magic mushrooms" -- and add a new chapter to the city's role in shaping wider drug policy.

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A citizen initiative on the ballot followed the same tack taken by marijuana activists to decriminalize pot possession in 2005 in the city. That move was followed by statewide legalization in 2012. A number of other states have since broadly allowed marijuana sales and use by adults.

Psilocybin decriminalization campaign organizers have said their only goal is to keep people out of jail in Denver for using or possessing the drug to cope with depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and other conditions.

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The initiative would effectively decriminalize use or possession of psilocybin by people 21 and older, making it the lowest enforcement priority for police and prosecutors. The measure does not legalize psilocybin or permit its sale by cannabis businesses.

Kevin Matthews, director of the Decriminalize Denver campaign, said psilocybin has helped him with depression for years. "This is not something you have to take every day," the 33-year-old Denver native said. "It provides a lot of lasting benefits, weeks and months after one experience." More