Magic mushrooms were a freely available crop of sorts when I was a student. I went picking them one day with a bunch of friends. This was enlightening.<p>First of all there is being outside in the countryside with a group of friends, roaming the hillside. If the pressures of assignments are getting to you this is a welcome change of scene. Particularly if there is some 'rave style' party that this expedition is in preparation for.<p>Next there was the challenge to one's perceptions about finding the things. Initially it looks like a hopeless task. But you find one, then you find another and soon you get to be very good at seeing the things.<p>From a very small age we get told that wild mushrooms are going to kill you. So how do you know that you are picking the magic ones and not the ones that will be as deadly as getting bitten by a snake?<p>But, you don't end up picking the wrong ones, they are all good.<p>Coupled with that is the other things that can get you - creepy crawlies, bugs that you can't see, that sort of stuff. Again, not a problem in reality.<p>There is obviously proof in the pudding, however, before getting as far as tasting some slimy mushroom brew heavily flavoured with something like Ribena you have accomplished at least three things that you can feel good about - physical exercise, having a laugh with friends and doing something that you thought was beyond you in just collecting the things.<p>So I think that this legalisation thing should insist on a 'trip' each time, a trip outdoors to do all of the prep. No commercialisation of the product (selling the things to people who don't do the outdoors bit). A great time can be had, and going outdoors to pick some other herbs, e.g. some rosemary or some chives, is never going to be anywhere near as fun.<p>Keep it recreational and spirits will be lifted. This privately - non sociable, non-recreational - partaking of the active ingredient on one's lonesome just isn't going to hit the mark in quite the same way. Might as well micro-dose alcohol at home alone (half bottle of wine with a meal, every night) if that is the approach. This is alcoholism, which contrasts with alcohol enjoyed out and about in socially engaging experiences.<p>I fear Denver are well meaning but going to get this wrong.