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Denver's Initiative 301 would decriminalize the use and possession of mushrooms containing the psychedelic compound psilocybin by making shrooms Denver's "lowest law enforcement priority". The vote is on Tuesday, May 7, alongside general elections for mayor, city auditor, city clerk and recorder, and all 13 city council seats. The initiative is supported by Decriminalize Denver, the Denver Green Party, and the Libertarian Party of Colorado. Opponents include the Centennial Institute, a conservative think tank from Colorado Christian University.
Will Denver Vote to Decriminalize Magic Mushrooms?
In 2005, Denver residents voted to become the first major U.S. city to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Two years later, they voted to decriminalize cannabis entirely. For the city's elections this spring, they're being asked if they want to do the same thing for psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
If passed, Initiative 301 would decriminalize the possession and use of a drug that is illegal in all states and at the federal level. No matter the result, it marks the first time in United States history that the legal status of psilocybin has been challenged, and it's putting Denver once again at the center of a debate on drug policy.
[...] State laws would remain unchanged, meaning state prosecutors could continue to bring psilocybin cases to court in Denver. While this type of decriminalization law may reduce drug arrests, drug policy experts consider it more of a symbolic gesture that could precede full legalization, much as cannabis laws did in the mid-2000s.
That fact hasn't been lost in Denver's debate over the issue. Opponents say decriminalization of psilocybin could eventually lead to full legalization, putting Denver—a city already known for its embrace of recreational marijuana—down the path toward becoming a drug haven.
Denver residents will also vote on Initiated Ordinance 300: Denver "Right to Survive" Initiative that would overturn an "urban camping" ban:
A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of adding "Article IX - Right to Survive in Public Spaces" to the Denver Revised Municipal Code, thereby allowing the following activities in outdoor public places without limits or penalties enforced by the city or county, law enforcement, or any other entity:
- resting;
- sheltering oneself;
- eating or exchanging food; and
- occupying one's own legally parked vehicle or a legally parked vehicle with permission of the owner.
Finally, the Denver Airport Employees Minimum Wage Increase Initiative would require private employers to pay Denver airport employees $15/hour by 2021.
At least 15% of Denver voters have taken advantage of early voting.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Monday May 06 2019, @11:59PM (1 child)
Exactly why I refuse to purchase commercial pot now in Northern California.
It used to be a patchwork of small time medicinal growers selling to the local dispensaries when it was illegal. Before the medical, that patchwork of small growers formed the illegal markets up here. The economy up here is undergoing no small shift because the money is no longer funneling into these small groups of people that spent money locally. 20 years ago there used to be entire fake businesses with desks, computers, W4's, time cards, etc. You could pay $10k per month to get a $4.5k job that took care of all of your taxes and provided you with a nearly impeccable back story. On top of that, you had a lot of local exchange in the economy for supporting that market. The jobs? Obviously living wage+ when you had the associated risks, and the economy has noticed those disappear.
20 years later and it's all gone. The courts and law enforcement have already shut down all the small growers legally by refusing permits and engaging in a different type of drug war. The drug war now is against the middle class and small workers, not to mention the area it is being grown. Only "well capitalized and connected people" have any chances now, and the many of the people doing the work before legally cannot do the work now in a legal environment. That's why expunging old convictions is so damn important.
It's all corporate now with rich people getting richer. So fuck them with a cactus sideways. I go out of my way to purchase ILLEGAL weed, which is ironically, much cheaper than the heavily taxed corporate weed. Friends and family are all growing what is legal in our backyards and selling it to locals.
If you care about your communities and want to stick it to the man, DON'T SMOKE HIS WEED.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Tuesday May 07 2019, @08:00AM
WOW! It's the exact opposite here.
The black market is extinct here.
We issue permits for new stores by the bucket load.
See my post below.
Our stores are clean, well stocked, CHEAPER than the street was, and are popping up like latte stands.
Jay Inslee pardoned thousands of convictions, i am unsure if we expunged all old convictions, but we did pardon all the active ones and hadn't been enforcing pot laws for several years once it became apparent where legislation was heading.
Most of our growers ARE the old illegal growers. And the stores are small stores started by average people.
Check some out...(Satori and Cannabis and Glass are my favorites)
https://potguide.com/washington/marijuana-stores/spokane/ [potguide.com]
I'm disappointed in CA. I expected them to lead the way, but apparently it's the PNW that's destined to be the ones.
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.