Introduction to Psychedelic Mushrooms in Colorado

The dawn of state-regulated psychedelic mushrooms has arrived in Colorado, nearly two years since Oregon began offering them. The mushrooms are a Schedule I drug and illegal under federal law except for clinical research. But more than a dozen cities nationwide have deprioritized or decriminalized them in the past five years, and many eyes are turned toward Oregon’s and Colorado’s state-regulated programs.

Background and Research

Psychedelic mushrooms and their psychoactive compound psilocybin have the potential to treat people with depression and anxiety, including those unresponsive to other medications or therapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, says the risk of mental health problems caused by ingesting mushrooms in a supervised clinical setting is low, but may be higher outside of a clinical setting. Medical experts say more research is needed, particularly in people with a diagnosis or family history of psychotic or bipolar disorder. Adverse effects of psilocybin, including headache and nausea, typically resolve within one to two days. However, extended difficulties from using psychedelics can last weeks, months, or years; anxiety and fear, existential struggle, social disconnection, and feeling detached from oneself and one’s surroundings are most common.

Colorado’s Psychedelic Mushroom Program

Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in 2022 to legalize natural psychedelics, after Oregon voters in 2020 approved legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use. Colorado’s program is modeled after, but not the same as, Oregon’s, under which 21,246 psilocybin products have been sold as of March, a total that could include secondary doses, according to the Oregon Health Authority. As of mid-March, Colorado has received applications for at least 15 healing center licenses, nine cultivation licenses, four manufacturer licenses, and one testing facility license for growing and preparing the mushrooms, under rules developed over two years by the governor-appointed Natural Medicine Advisory Board.

Healing Centers and Facilitators

Psychedelic treatments in Oregon are expensive, and are likely to be so in Colorado, too. The mushrooms themselves are not expensive, but a facilitator’s time and support services are costly, and there are state fees. In Colorado, for doses over 2 milligrams, facilitators will screen participants at least 24 hours in advance, then supervise the session in which the participant consumes and experiences mushrooms, lasting several hours, plus a later meeting to integrate the experience. Facilitators, who may not have experience with mental health emergencies, need training in screening, informed consent, and postsession monitoring.

Affordability and Accessibility

To increase affordability for patients in Colorado, healing centers plan to offer sliding-scale pay options, and discounts for veterans, Medicaid enrollees, and those with low incomes. Group sessions are another option to lower costs. Colorado law does not allow retail sales of psilocybin, unlike cannabis, which can be sold both recreationally and medically in the state. But it allows adults 21 and older to grow, use, and share psychedelic mushrooms for personal use.

Adjacent Businesses and Cultural Significance

Despite the retail ban, adjacent businesses have mushroomed. Inside the warehouse and laboratory of Activated Brands in Arvada, brown bags of sterilized grains such as corn, millet, and sorghum and plastic bags of soil substrate are for sale, along with genetic materials and ready-to-grow kits. Psychedelic mushrooms have a long history in Indigenous cultures, and provisions for their use in spiritual, cultural, or religious ceremonies are included in Colorado law, along with recognition of the cultural harm that could occur to federally recognized tribes and Indigenous people if natural medicine is overly commercialized or exploited.

Conclusion

The introduction of state-regulated psychedelic mushrooms in Colorado marks a significant step in the potential treatment of mental health disorders. While more research is needed, the benefits of psilocybin have been shown in clinical trials, and the state’s program is designed to provide a safe and regulated environment for its use. As the program rolls out, it will be important to monitor its effectiveness and address any challenges that arise.

FAQs

• Q: Are psychedelic mushrooms legal in Colorado?
  A: Yes, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in 2022 to legalize natural psychedelics.
• Q: How much do psychedelic mushroom sessions cost?
  A: Sessions are typically $1,000 to $3,000 and are not covered by insurance.
• Q: Can I grow my own psychedelic mushrooms in Colorado?
  A: Yes, adults 21 and older can grow, use, and share psychedelic mushrooms for personal use.
• Q: Are there any risks associated with using psychedelic mushrooms?
  A: Adverse effects of psilocybin, including headache and nausea, typically resolve within one to two days, but extended difficulties can last weeks, months, or years.
• Q: How do I become a facilitator for psychedelic mushroom sessions?
  A: Facilitators need to complete a state-accredited program and 80 hours of hands-on training, and pay a $420 training fee and roughly $900 a year for a license.