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Denver Voters Approve I-301 for Psilocybin

Denver voted with 50.6% in favor as of 5/16/19 to reduce the priority of psilocybin for law enforcement by approving I-301. I-301 makes enforcing state laws about the possession of psilocybin the lowest priority for the Denver Police Department.
Longmont Observer

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Written by Anderw Zimmerman

Denver voted with 50.6% in favor as of 5/16/19 to reduce the priority of psilocybin for law enforcement by approving I-301. I-301 makes enforcing state laws about the possession of psilocybin the lowest priority for the Denver Police Department. 

The distribution of these psilocybin containing mushrooms will still be illegal in the city under Colorado and federal law, and people can still be arrested for psilocybin related occurrences.

Image courtesy of Carolyn Tyler, Denver DA Office

As per Carolyn Tyler, the Denver District Attorney's Office Director of Communications, there's no immediate impact that she and the DA's office are anticipating as a result of I-301, as psilocybin is a very minor component of the total cases handed by the DA's office. In fact, as Tyler explains, from 2016 - 2018, there were a total of 9,200 drug offense cases, of which only 11 concerned psilocybin. Given the small number of cases in Denver, the DA's office is not anticipating any major impact. Moreover, the Denver DA Beth McCann says she respects and will honor the will of the people.

The initiative was approved by voters with the smallest of margins (1979 votes separated yay and nay), and in a historic vote in which a record number of citizens participated (185,000).

Kevin Matthews, campaign director for the Denver Psilocybin Initiative, was quick to point out that, as the Denver DA's Office stated, that psilocybin is still illegal. He stated that "all drugs come with warning labels and should be used with caution." This also applies to psilocybin.

Matthews feels that it's critical to follow-up with education campaigns as this is an opportunity to inform people of the medical value associated with psilocybin, through responsible use to minimize harm and increase benefits. He added, that psilocybin is a very powerful molecule and that the risks can be minimized if users have a plan that considers the environment, the people, mindset, and intention for use.