Earlier this year advances were taken in the early steps to decriminalize many psychedelics in Washington D.C. The Ballot initiative was given initial approval by the Board of Elections, and will now have to get the approval of their title and summary statement. If the ballot initiative goes through, psychedelics will be of the lowest priority in local law enforcement. The measure does not remove any penalties. Decriminalize Nature D.C is the organization behind this ballot initiative and had many advocates speak in favor of decriminalization at its original hearing.  

Decriminalization can only bring safety and knowledge around the therapeutic use of substances that are already widely available, It will allow therapist to speak candidly to clients, researchers and students to pursue areas of study without fear of retribution, and an overall more educated society.”

Measure To Decriminalize Psychedelics Advances In Washington, DC

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Last year Denver, Colorado became the first city to decriminalize psychedelics and several more cities have followed suit. Many people have advocated the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms because of their therapeutic purposes. 

Sources

• Oregon Campaign To Legalize Psilocybin Mushrooms For Therapeutic Use Hits Snag Amid Coronavirus – Marijuana Moment
• Measure To Decriminalize Psychedelics Advances In Washington, DC-Marijuana Moment

Denver has approved the grassroots ordinance 301 to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms (aka psychedelic mushrooms).

It looked like the initiative would be a failed effort but it narrowly passed. It with 50.56% voting in favor of decriminalization.

Psilocybin mushrooms won’t be legal in Denver, but once the ordinance goes into effect the city will not be criminally prosecuting or arresting adults for possession, as long as they are 21 or more years old. The ballot also allows for growing the mushrooms for personal use. The initiative is expected to take effect sometime next year.

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What happened in Denver may be the start of a much larger movement, which seeks safe access to psilocybin for its purported medicinal value. Supporters point to research, suggesting psilocybin is not addictive and causes few ER visits compared to other illegal drugs. Ongoing medical research shows it could be a groundbreaking medicine for treatment-resistant depression and to help curb nicotine addiction.

NPR

Republican congressman Jeff Shipley, in Iowa, has proposed to legalize the medicinal use of psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, and ibogaine. Oregon and California also have campaigns legalize psilocybin mushrooms for the 2020 elections.

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Psilocybin mushrooms classified under federal law as a Schedule 1 drug. NPR reports that DEA officials in Denver say they will still prosecute for psilocybin possession and trafficking.