Introduction to the Colorado Sober Movement
Everything in moderation. Including moderation. That’s the idea behind the Colorado sober movement, an unofficial yet growing trend away from alcohol, and toward plant-based and psychedelic drugs. But how can one be considered sober while, for example, smoking pot and taking LSD? Because “Colorado sober” — a spin-off of the similar term “California sober” — isn’t about abstaining from all substances, but rather the ones that are known to have lasting effects on your body and brain, advocates say. That includes drugs such as cocaine and opioids, but also alcohol, which has waned in recent years as the standard social lubricant for young people.
What is Colorado Sober?
“Weed and mushrooms have a lot less next-day negative effects than alcohol,” said Marissa Poppens, a Denver resident who considers herself Colorado sober. “I’m new to the term but I think people are starting to realize what it means on their own. It’s a version of ‘natural high.’ “ Poppens regularly uses cannabis and microdoses psilocybin — the active psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms — not only for recreation, but also to help treat chronic pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). As executive director of the 9-year-old nonprofit MSterios Miracles, Poppens wants to help advocate for and provide resources to people living with MS.
The Rise of Psilocybin and Cannabis
As of 2025, the state’s Natural Medicine Division has begun licensing psilocybin healing centers, which follows Colorado’s recreational legalization of cannabis for people 21 and over in 2014. The combination of those actions — magic mushrooms have been decriminalized since 2022 so it’s not a crime to grow or ingest them, though retail sales are not yet here (as they are for cannabis) — and cultural acceptance has helped Poppens feel better about abandoning alcohol, she said, and find allies in her quest for nontraditional relief. “I was able to get off my prescribed depression medication, which I hated taking, after I started microdosing,” she said, adding that her regimen is based around wellness, not recreational highs.
The Benefits of the Colorado Sober Movement
Research compiled by the Cleveland Clinic has shown that the movement away from alcohol is rooted as much in alcohol’s deleterious effects as increased emphasis on education, mental wellness and healthier lifestyles. “Alcohol is a depressant and never the answer to a bad day,” said addiction psychiatrist Dr. Akhil Anand in the Cleveland Clinic report. “Gen Z seems to understand that concept, and they’ve moved in a different direction.” Gen Z’s alcohol consumption is dropping rapidly, with a Journal of American Medicine report showing that the percentage of college students abstaining from alcohol was 28% in 2022, as compared with 20% in 2018.
The Business Side of the Movement
Josh Kesselman, owner of the cannabis magazine High Times, said that the Colorado sober movement is not just a cheeky term for non-drinkers, but an evolving descriptor for people who want to explore, not pummel, their minds. Ricardo Baca, former editor of The Cannabist and owner of Grasslands, has long studied the subject and acknowledged that his company benefits by boosting the Colorado sober trend, but said that it’s more about harm reduction than profit.
Kesselman, who also founded the Raw Rolling Papers company, has a strong business reason for encouraging others to drop alcohol for cannabis. But it’s no smokescreen, he said: There’s not an objectively right or wrong way to be sober, and that can easily include abstaining from substances altogether.
Criticisms of the Movement
On the other hand, the idea of being Colorado sober soft-pedals the potentially addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, said Alton P. Dillard II, a media consultant for the One Chance to Grow Up nonprofit. The Colorado organization includes a number of top medical and academic advisors advocating against drug use for young people. “We recognize the intense toll of alcohol addiction and understand that adults make choices that they think best support their health,” he said. “The problem for youth is that they are already getting confusing messages that marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms are healthy, natural medicines. In fact, they both present significant risks to young brains, which are growing until age 25.”
Conclusion
The Colorado sober movement is a growing trend that emphasizes intentional consumption based around wellness, rather than abstaining from all substances. While it has its benefits, such as reducing alcohol consumption and promoting healthier lifestyles, it also has its criticisms, such as the potential addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics. As the movement continues to evolve, it’s essential to consider the potential risks and benefits and to approach it with a critical and nuanced perspective.
FAQs
Q: What is the Colorado sober movement?
A: The Colorado sober movement is a trend that emphasizes intentional consumption based around wellness, rather than abstaining from all substances. It involves using plant-based and psychedelic drugs, such as cannabis and psilocybin, in moderation.
Q: Is the Colorado sober movement the same as being sober?
A: No, the Colorado sober movement is not the same as being sober. While it involves reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, it does not necessarily mean abstaining from all substances.
Q: What are the benefits of the Colorado sober movement?
A: The benefits of the Colorado sober movement include reducing alcohol consumption, promoting healthier lifestyles, and providing alternative treatments for chronic pain and mental health conditions.
Q: What are the criticisms of the Colorado sober movement?
A: The criticisms of the Colorado sober movement include the potential addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, particularly for young people, and the risk of confusing messages about the health effects of these substances.
