What’s Next For Psychedelic Medicine in Colorado
Last month, Colorado voters both decriminalized psilocybin and other natural medicines and authorized access to psilocybin therapy in licensed healing centers across the state. Here’s what to expect, and when, as Colorado begins to implement Proposition 122:
First things, first.
By January 4th, 2023—roughly one month from today—it will no longer be a crime under Colorado law to grow, possess, or share psilocybin or other natural medicines. However, selling these substances—on the street corner or in a retail store—remains illegal.
You’ll have to wait until mid-2025 to access psilocybin treatment.
Between now and then, state authorities will craft regulations and conduct licensing to ensure that Coloradans have safe, effective, and equitable access to care. Here are the steps on the path to 2025:
By January 31, 2023: Governor Polis will appoint a fifteen member expert advisory committee—and then the state Senate must consent to each member. Proposition 122 requires that members include experts with diverse professional backgrounds, including behavioral health, natural medicine therapy, drug policy, veterans affairs, and other health care specialties.
By September 30, 2023: The expert advisory committee will provide state health regulators at the Department of Regulatory Agencies with detailed recommendations on health and safety standards for growing, manufacturing and testing natural medicines; training requirements for facilitators; and licensing requirements for healing centers. The advisory committee will provide health regulators with an overview of the latest research on natural medicines and their potential to benefit various health conditions.
By January 1, 2024: State health regulators will adopt the rules that will govern how facilitators will be trained and licensed. These rules will establish the qualifications, educational and training requirements that people must meet before becoming licensed facilitators in the state.
By September 30, 2024: State health regulators will adopt the rules governing access and delivery of natural medicine treatment. The state will also start accepting applications for licensure from facilitators and healing centers during this time.
2025: As facilitator applications are approved by regulators, and licensed healing centers are established, psilocybin treatment services are expected to begin by mid-2025.
State Health Regulators Could Expand Access Beyond Psilocybin To Other Natural Medicines, But Not Until At Least Mid-2026.
The Advisory Committee can recommend to state regulators that access to additional natural medicines be authorized in licensed healing centers. Proposition 122 identified DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote)—all of which have shown promise in various clinical trials—as potential natural medicines that could be authorized for use in treatment. If regulators accepted the advisory committee’s recommendation, then the state will prepare rules and regulations in a similar fashion to the process established for psilocybin treatment.
Dive Deeper:
Coloradans voted to legalize psilocybin. What’s next? –Andrew Kenney, Colorado Public Radio
Here are the next steps for Colorado’s psychedelic mushroom law –Lindsey Toomer, Colorado Newsline
Colorado Voters Authorized Natural Medicine-Assisted Treatment. What You Need To Know.–Breakthrough Bulletin
