Could Colorado Legalize Magic Mushrooms Next?

When you think of the fight to legalize weed in the United States, a few, forward-thinking states comes to mind. Sure, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana back in the 90s but it was Colorado who really blazed the trail to marijuana legalization when they legalized weed for recreational use in 2012. Now, it seems, Colorado is looking to take it one step further. The fight has begun to legalize magic mushrooms in the state of Colorado.

 

A group called Denver for Psilocybin is at the forefront of this fight. The Denver Channel reported that the group "met with city leaders about their push to decriminalize psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms."

 

But why is this group so adamant about their push to legalize magic mushrooms? Well, in case you didn't know, 'shrooms have been known to have a myriad of health benefits and many people swear by the positive effects magic mushrooms have had on their lives and psyches.

 

Tyler Williams, one of the leaders of Denver for Psilocybin, spoke to Denver 7 about the group's motives.

 

"There's a lot of research for all sorts of mental health issues. Everything from anxiety to depression to cluster headaches, addiction," said Williams, "I had a suicide attempt November 12 of 2015 and I think it helped me get out of my depressions, and it's helped me with my PTSD."

 

Williams' personal success with magic mushrooms is backed by medical research. A variety of studies have found that clinically depressed people show increased emotional connection soon after mushroom assisted therapy.

 

The group's push to legalize magic mushrooms has, of course, raised concerns about the safety of psilocybin. In actuality, mushrooms are relatively safe. Researchers for the Global Drug Survey found that, from a group of 120,000 participants from 50 different nations, only 0.2% per 10,000 participants sought emergency medical treatment for ingesting 'shrooms.

 

Adam Winstock, founder and consultant addition psychiatrist for the Global Drug survey, told The Guardian, "magic mushrooms are one of the safest drugs in the world." He also noted that the biggest risk with magic mushrooms is identifying the wrong mushroom, not from ingesting 'shrooms themselves.

 

So, what's next for the push to legalize magic mushrooms? Denver for Psilocybin may soon get the all clear to gather signatures so residents can vote on the matter. The successful legalization of cannabis has undoubtedly set the precedent in Colorado but it remains to be seen how 'shrooms will fair in weed's wake.