Contact Lance Cayko
Cell 303.775.7406
Email CommunicationsDirector@LPColorado.org
Website www.LPColorado.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/16/18
THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO ENDORSES PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOM BALLOT INITIATIVE
On December 10th, 2018 the board of the Libertarian Party of Colorado voted unanimously in favor to endorse Decriminalize Denver’s ballot initiative effort to remove possession and personal cultivation of psilocybin. The Libertarian party of Colorado’s position on Psilocybin Mushrooms is that they should be legalized for personal consumption, possession, and cultivation; thus we support Decriminalize Denver and their efforts to decriminalize them. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms and currently anyone who unlawfully uses, sells, or has psilocybin mushrooms (“magic mushrooms”) in their possession is guilty of a criminal offense. Under Colorado law currently, the unauthorized use of a controlled substance, including psilocybin mushrooms, is a level 2 drug misdemeanor. Under CRS 18-18-404, the penalties for the use of psilocybin mushrooms include a fine of up to $750.
However, if Decriminalize Denver’s grassroots initiative passes with a majority vote from Denver’s citizens on the May 2019 ballot, then it will no longer be a criminal offense. Denver will then also become the first city in the United States to pass such a measure Decriminalizing Denver’s effort to decriminalize psilocybin effort matches the Libertarian Party of Colorado’s platform planks of “The Individual” and “Victimless Crimes” as follows:
The Individual
Individuals own their bodies and have rights over them that other individuals, groups, and governments may not violate. Individuals have the freedom and responsibility to decide what they knowingly and voluntarily consume, and what risks they accept to their own health, finances, safety, or life. Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make provided those choices do not violate the rights of others. Our support of an individual’s right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices.
Victimless Crimes
Criminal and civil laws should be limited to violations of the rights of others through fraud, force, or deliberate and credible threats of imminent force. We therefore reject all laws that create crimes without victims, for voluntary and consensual activities, such as but not limited to, the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes, prostitution, and gambling. We also reject government placing itself as a proxy victim of alleged crimes.
The Libertarian Party of Colorado asks all registered Libertarians who are eligible to vote in Denver County to attend at least one of Decriminalize Denver’s signing events at the following locations:
Circus Collective
2041 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80205
Every Friday from 10am to 7pm
December 14th, 21st, 28th
or
Grassroots Colorado
846 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 12-6pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:30am-7pm
In order to appear on the ballot, their campaign needs 4726 signatures from registered City and County of Denver voters. Their goal is to collect many more than this by the deadline of Jan 7th, 2019. You can also volunteer to gather signatures by emailing office@decriminalizedenver.org, and help out by following them on Facebook at facebook.com/decriminalizedenver/, or by donating to their cause at decriminalizedenver.org/donate.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Lance Cayko at 303.775.7406 or email at CommunicationsDirector@LPColorado.org.
