Colorado

Colorado’s regulatory framework for psychedelics, primarily focusing on psilocybin and other natural substances, is set to be fully implemented by the end of 2024. The Natural Medicine Health Act (Proposition 122) forms the foundation, allowing legal use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings for adults 21 and over. The state has until September 30, 2024, to finalize rules, after which service centers can provide psilocybin access.

Uniquely, Colorado may add DMT, mescaline, and ibogaine to the legal access program after June 2026. Currently, personal cultivation and use of these substances are decriminalized, with possession of small amounts classified as a level 1 drug misdemeanor. Additionally, HB 22-1344 has legalized MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, pending FDA approval and rescheduling.

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Legalization History of Psychedelics in Colorado

The legalization journey in Colorado has seen several landmark events. In 2019, Denver became the first U.S. city to deprioritize law enforcement for psilocybin mushroom possession. By March 2020, HB19-1263 reduced penalties statewide for possession of small amounts of controlled substances. The pivotal moment came in November 2022 when voters approved Proposition 122, making Colorado the second state to legalize psychedelics and treatment centers. This act legalized the use and possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms and three other psychedelics, with plans to open licensed use facilities by the end of 2024.

On June 8, 2022, Governor Jared Polis signed HB 22-1344, preparing for potential MDMA-assisted therapy legalization. This comprehensive approach, encompassing both decriminalization and a regulated access program, positions Colorado at the forefront of psychedelic reform in the United States.