Denver votes to decriminalize hallucinogenic mushrooms

by Chris Mills Rodrigo - 05/08/19 7:21 PM ET

Voters in Denver approved a referendum Tuesday decriminalizing psilocybin, the psychoactive substance in hallucinogenic “magic mushrooms.”

Final results were released Wednesday afternoon showing 50.6 percent of the 176,000 voters approving the referendum and 49.4 percent voting no.

{mosads}Initiative 301 will require police to make arresting people for personal possession or use of psilocybin mushrooms “the lowest law enforcement priority in the City and County of Denver.” The measure does not legalize psilocybin.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms remain illegal in Denver and the rest of Colorado, and selling them is still a felony.

The vote total must now be confirmed by Denver election officials.

“Our victory is a clear signal to the rest of the country that the American people are ready for a larger conversation around psilocybin and drug policy reform in general,” Kevin Matthews, the leader of the “Decriminalize Denver” movement, which placed the initiative on the ballot, told The Rooster.

“We look forward to working with city officials, the people of Denver, and other groups working toward decriminalization.”

Tags legalization Psilocybin mushroom