While the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis is becoming more prevalent across the United States, activist organizations in Denver and Oregon are now pushing for the decriminalization of magic mushrooms. Groups in both areas are looking to decriminalize the use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found naturally in certain strains of mushrooms, and start a national conversation around the use of psychedelics to treat numerous mental health disorders.

Recent research has shown psilocybin to help cancer patients with depression and anxiety, relieve symptoms for people who experience cluster headaches, treat addiction, and could be an alternative to typical depression treatments in the general population.

Kevin Matthews, campaign director for advocacy group Denver for Psilocybin, says psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA could become more prevalent in psychiatric treatment as researchers continue to study their effects. “We’re in the middle of the psychedelic renaissance. I think it’s becoming more common because the results—at least the initial results from these studies—are so powerful and they kind of came out of left field,” Matthews says.

Matthews, a veteran who became interested in the medical benefits of psychedelics after researching MDMA’s effect on PTSD patients, says his organization’s goal is to include the question about decriminalizing the possession, use, and cultivation of the drug on the city’s ballot for their upcoming election in May 2019. They are currently finalizing the language they intend to use for the ballot measure to submit to city council before collecting signatures to gain a spot in the election. I need your help to make this legal!!!!!!