The vote to decriminalize and regulate some psychedelics for adults 21 and older in Colorado is still too close to call, according to New York Times figures, which show 51%-49% in favor with 80% of the vote counted. Under state law, a recount is triggered when a margin of victory is less than or equal to 0.5% of the winner’s vote, The Denver Post reports.
The measure aims to legalize psilocybin and psilocin, two compounds found in “magic mushrooms,” for use in therapeutic settings and create “healing centers” where adults 21 and older can use the substances under the supervision of licensed professionals.
The measure would also decriminalize the personal cultivation, use, and sharing of psilocybin and psilocin, as well as ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT, for adults.
Oregon is the only other state to legalize psychedelics for therapy after voters approved the reforms in 2020. Similar reforms were also approved that year by voters in Washington, D.C. In 2019, voters in Denver decriminalized possession of psychedelic fungi, becoming the first U.S. city to do so.
In the statewide vote, neither advocates nor opponents have claimed victory and the vote tally will continue throughout Wednesday.
Natural Medicine Colorado, which got Proposition 122 on ballots, spent nearly $4.5 million through October 26, while raising $6 million through Monday, the Colorado Sun reports.
New Approach, a political action committee, and the Center for Voter Information each donated $1.2 million to Natural Medicine, according to campaign finance reports outlined by the Sun. Natural Medicine donated $224,000 to another super PAC called Rocky Mountain Voter Guide, which published an online voting guide backing the measure.
Protect Colorado’s Kids, the main opposition, raised about $51,000 from the nonprofit of the same name against the measure, with most of the spending going to a digital advertising and texting campaign.
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