Denver could become the first city in the United States that would abolish criminal liability for possession of magic mushrooms.
On Monday an application was made to the decriminalization of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Denver. The initiative group has already collected 9,500 signatures in support of the proposal. It is expected that this measure will reduce crime in the city.
If the bill will accept, it does not legalize the use or sale of magic mushrooms in the capital of Colorado, but will make their possession the lowest priority of the police.
As noted by Kevin Mathews, Director of the campaign for the decriminalization of Denver, because of the hallucinogens already been convicted too many people and broke up too many families. He added that he hopes to show people the therapeutic benefits of mushrooms and to debunk some of the misconceptions associated with their use and properties.
In accordance with Federal law, psychedelic mushrooms are considered on the same level as heroin and LSD. However, psilocybin mushrooms are not addictive and can not only reduce psychological stress but also to help reduce the use of opioids.
Chamber of Commerce Denver has not yet announced a position on this issue.
«As in the world, a growing number of studies of psilocybin, more and more people learn of its significant therapeutic potential. It is quite natural that many people start to interested in this,» said Amanda Feilding founder and Director Beckley Foundation.
According to Dr. George Greer, President of the Research Institute. Heffter, studies show that psilocybin helps to reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients, contributes to alcoholism and Smoking and relieves patients of obsessive compulsive disorder.
However, not all so smoothly. For example, stresses Dr. Greer, in the treatment of mushrooms it is difficult to select the optimal dose.
«In addition, psilocybin can worsen the health of those suffering from psychotic or manic episodes and even cause a relapse,» warns Greer.
In addition, in the US very few doctors are competent in this field.
«Currently, only a few professionals have received formal training on the use of psilocybin. They are engaged in University research projects, and none are located in Colorado or Oregon,» said Greer.
He also noted that conversations about the use of psilocybin in medicine differ from talking about the legalization of this substance.
«These observations are not an argument in support of the researchers [of the Institute] Heffter criminal penalties for possession of psilocybin or cancelled,» added Greer, stressing that the Institute does not take positions on political issues, and individual researchers have their own views on the issue.
Similar efforts to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms taken in Oregon, where human rights activists are trying to put this issue on the ballot in the election of 2020.
