Measure to legalize psychedelic mushrooms gains narrow approval in Colorado

DENVER – Unofficial 2022 election results showed Colorado voters on track to take another big step toward drug decriminalization, with a measure to legalize and regulate psychedelic mushrooms leading narrowly as votes continue to be counted.

Proposition 122, dubbed the Natural Medicine Health Act, was ahead with 51% support after more than 5 million votes had been counted as of Thursday morning.

If approved, the measure would establish a regulated market for psilocybin and psilocyn, the psychoactive compounds found in many species of fungi.

Under the new law, Colorado would allow licensed “healing centers” to provide access to psilocybin and psilocyn for therapeutic purposes. It would also decriminalize the “personal use” of the substances, allowing people to possess and grow psychedelic mushrooms in their own homes.

Proposition 122 follows the passage of mushroom decriminalization measures by voters in Oregon and Washington, D.C., in 2020. Denver voters took a more limited step towards the decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms in 2019, approving a measure that directed police to make possession of the substances the city’s “lowest law-enforcement priority.”

Proposition 122 leads by wide margins in several populous Front Range counties with potentially large numbers of votes remaining to be counted, giving supporters of the initiative confidence that it will pass.

This story was originally published by Colorado Newsline, part of the States Newsroom network of news bureaus with the Louisiana Illuminator. It is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: [email protected]. Follow Colorado Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.