Late (but still unofficial) results show that Denver voters approved an ordinance to begin the decriminalization of psilocybin, better known as Magic Mushrooms or ‘Shrooms.

The “Yes” vote had been down by about four percent in overnight returns, but the latest results from the City and County of Denver municipal election returns show the pro-decriminalization vote is now leading by just over 1%.

With 176,661 votes tallied, “Yes” for decriminalization now leads 50.56% to 49.44% opposed, a lead of just under 2,000 votes.

Denver will continue to receive overseas and military ballots prior to official certification on May 16. Those votes are not expected to change the overall “Yes” verdict.

Initiative 301 asked voters if psilocybin should be decriminalized in quantities in accordance with personal use for citizens the age of 21 or over. The language of the bill reads:

Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance to the Denver Revised Municipal Code that would make the personal use and personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms by persons twenty-one (21) years of age and older the city’s lowest law-enforcement priority, prohibit the city from spending resources to impose criminal penalties for the personal use and personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms by persons twenty-one (21) years of age and older, and establish the psilocybin mushroom policy review panel to assess and report on the effects of the ordinance?

 

The petition points out a study which suggests the use of Magic Mushrooms is “associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse” and the Global Drug Survey 2017 which dubbed psilocybin “the safest of all recreational drugs.”

As of now, it looks like Denver has become the first city in the US on track to decriminalize a psychedelic substance.

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