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Bad Mix: Illegal Mushrooms and Rock Climbing in Colorado

A climber rescue at First Flatiron in Boulder recently resulted in felony possession of a controlled substance charges after police discovered hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Mountain High

On a trip to Colorado, two young Missouri men decided to go hiking at First Flatiron in Boulder. While the outing began innocently, it turned bizarre when one of the men removed most of his clothing, despite the cold weather, and tried to climb the side of a mountain. The other man called the Boulder police when he could not help the climber down and the responding emergency crew had to restrain him during the rescue. Police later searched the men and found a psilocybin mushroom in one of their jackets.

Psilocybin is a hallucinogen found in certain types of mushrooms. Taking these types of mushrooms orally can lead to serious physical and psychological effects usually within 20 minutes of ingestion. These effects can last up to six hours and include drowsiness, nausea, muscle weakness, hallucinations and a difficulty discerning fantasy from reality. Lack of coordination and panicking can also occur, which may explain the irrational behavior.

Legal Fix

According to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act in Colorado, psilocybin is a Schedule I controlled substance and possession is a drug crime. After police found a mushroom in one of the climber’s jackets they tested it and found it contained psilocybin. The climber was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. If convicted he faces prison time and large fines even as a first-time offender.

While the two young men from Missouri were probably out to have a good time they were lucky neither was seriously injured by their bad mix of mushrooms and rock climbing. However, the climber may not come out of the situation unscathed, because felony drug possession charges can impact those convicted well beyond any time served or fines paid. Things like future employment, educational and housing opportunities could be jeopardized if a conviction occurs.

If you are charged with drug possession or any other drug-related crimes, don’t let poor choices follow you for many years to come. Contact a Colorado criminal defense lawyer for assistance immediately after any charges are filed. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you through the criminal process and work to have related penalties reduced, negotiated down or dismissed on your behalf.