Psychedelic Retreats in Colorado

Legal Status of Psychedelics in Colorado

As of December 27, 2023, a groundbreaking new law has been enacted in Colorado named Proposition 122 or the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA). The NMHA surpasses a similar Oregon law passed in 2023 by legalizing guided psilocybin (magic mushroom) sessions and removing criminal penalties for certain types of “personal use.” Now, Coloradans aged 21 and above can legally:

• Grow
• Gift,
• Transport and,
• Consume

Several naturally occurring psychedelics such as psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote). The law decriminalizes personal use by eliminating state and local criminal penalties, thus making arrests and consequences less likely, even though the substances remain technically illegal.

Despite these significant strides, there are important caveats to keep in mind. The law permits Coloradans to gift natural psychedelics freely but prohibits selling them for profit, so don't anticipate dispensaries selling DMT popping up. The NMHA also restricts protections to natural substances only – synthetic versions do not fall under its purview. Additionally, while it's not a crime at the state or local level to use natural psychedelics in Colorado, they are still deemed illegal by federal law. This means users must be cautious about where they use these substances, particularly if they're on federal land.

Another crucial question arising from the NMHA is determining the acceptable quantity of psychedelics an individual can possess or grow under the law. The vague wording of the NMHA, allowing possession of a “necessary” amount for various healing or “beneficial” uses, leaves the decision open to interpretation. Guidance from the courts or state officials will provide more clarity on possession amounts in the future. Also, by January 1, 2024, the NMHA mandates the state to formulate rules around qualifications and training requirements for psilocybin program facilitators or guides. These licenses will extend to the operation of healing centers, mushroom cultivation facilities, and mushroom testers, aiming for an accessible and equitable industry.

Dive deeper into the topic in our FAQ, Are Psychedelics Legal in the United States?