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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: 3, Interesting) by DeathMonkey on Monday May 06 2019, @07:34PM (8 children)
Ooh, local politics for your friendly neighborhood DeathMonkey!
I will be voting Yes to legalize the mushrooms.
I think I'll be voting No on 300. The urban camping ban is bullshit. But 300 is so vague and ill-defined it's just going to end up wasting time in the courts and might even be used against the folks doing the actual homeless outreach.
I didn't know there was a minimum wage bill on the ballot but I'll probably vote for it.
I'm planning on voting this week so would be legitimately interested in input.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Monday May 06 2019, @08:07PM (7 children)
Vote early and often.
Voting doesn't close by the end of tomorrow?
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 06 2019, @08:16PM (3 children)
If you did less psilocybin you'd have a better grasp of time.
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by takyon on Monday May 06 2019, @08:22PM (2 children)
It's a May 7, 2019 election, anon shitstain.
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(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 06 2019, @11:05PM
I read somewhere that drugs make you temperamental.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Monday May 06 2019, @11:44PM
Yes, but what time is it now? :)
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Monday May 06 2019, @09:10PM (2 children)
Damn, now that's some useful input!
For some reason I thought I had until the 15th but they're definitely due tomorrow.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Monday May 06 2019, @09:21PM (1 child)
The curse of early voting? You see it start but don't remember when it's supposed to finish.
Good luck at the ballot box.
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(Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Tuesday May 07 2019, @08:29AM
That's an interesting observation.
We get our ballots in the mail, and drop them off at voter boxes at the libraries, post offices and other places. Usually, I get the ballot and research it on my first day off, fill it out and drop it off on my way to work after my 'weekend*', but there have been at least two instances when I was busy and put it off, resulting in exactly that. Forgetting when the final due date was. One I made by hours, and another, well, I missed it by days.
It's nice to have time to research, ballot in hand, but it's also easy to put it off and forget.
At the same time it actually made a voter out of me. When Reagan was declared the winner, I was not even off work yet, at that point I said fuck it, and didn't start voting again until we went to the all paper mail in system. Yeah, I know the popular vote doesn't actually elect a president, but it seems pointless to vote at all when 'the big one' is called before you even have the chance to cast a ballot for the criminal of your choice.
Just my anecdote, have a good one T.
*weekend for me varies quite a bit, frequently being midweek.
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.