Is Psilocybin (Magic Mushroom) Therapy Legal in Colorado in 2023?
Timeline to Legal Psychedelic Therapy in Colorado
Psilocybin therapy has gained significant attention in recent years as a potential treatment for various mental health conditions. In 2023, some significant developments in Colorado and other states move the psychedelic renaissance forward. As interest in psychedelic therapy grows, individuals seeking alternatives to conventional therapy may wonder where they can access legal psilocybin therapy. This article aims to provide an overview of psilocybin therapy, its legal status in Colorado, the recently passed Proposition 122, and the potential cost of psychedelic therapy in the state.
Note: This article was written in August 2023, and reflects the landscape at that time.
What is Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of the psychoactive compound psilocybin, found in certain species of mushrooms, to promote therapeutic effects. It is typically administered in a supportive, clinical setting under the guidance of trained professionals. Psilocybin therapy sessions often incorporate preparatory and integration components to maximize the benefits and ensure long-lasting positive outcomes. Psychedelic Therapy has 3 phases:
Phase 1: Preparation
Preparation involves a thorough psychological and physical evaluation to determine if psychedelic therapy would be safe and effective for you. Time is spent understanding the nature of psychedelic experiences and how to navigate them for therapeutic purposes. Setting intentions is an important part of preparation, as well as establishing trust with your therapist or guide.
Phase 2: Ceremony or Dosing session
Mushrooms are ingested (or a synthetic version as used in clinical trial) and a client undergoes a psychedelic trip. Supported by their therapist or guide, clients are invited into a deep emotional process. This deep processing or healing can address mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, grief, and end-of-life distress.
Phase 3: Integration
Integration involves working with a therapist to create meaning out of your psychedelic experience. This is also a time to reflect on and continue any significant emotional processing that psilocybin brought about. Often, people use integration sessions to tease out lessons from their inner healer (accessed by a deep dive into the unconscious) and apply them to everyday life.
Is Psilocybin the Same as Magic Mushrooms?
While psilocybin is the active compound responsible for the psychedelic effects experienced when consuming magic mushrooms, the terms "psilocybin" and "magic mushrooms" refer to different aspects of the same phenomenon. Psilocybin is the specific compound, whereas magic mushrooms encompass various species that contain psilocybin, such as Psilocybe cubensis or Psilocybe semilanceata.
Is Psilocybin Legal in Colorado?
Colorado has taken significant steps toward legalizing psilocybin therapy. In November 2020, the state passed Proposition 122, known as the Colorado Psilocybin Mushroom Initiative. This landmark ballot measure effectively decriminalizes the possession, cultivation, and use of psilocybin mushrooms for adults aged 21 and older. However, it is important to note that this does not mean unrestricted recreational use of psilocybin.
Overview of Proposition 122 (the Natural Medicine Health Act)
Proposition 122 outlines the framework for legal psilocybin therapy in Colorado. It establishes a regulatory framework that permits the licensed use of psilocybin by trained professionals in therapeutic settings. Under this initiative, individuals with specific mental health conditions may qualify for psilocybin therapy. The initiative also mandates stringent guidelines to ensure safe and responsible use, including training requirements for facilitators and therapists.
Timeline for Legal Psilocybin Therapy
While the passing of Proposition 122 was a significant step forward, the implementation of legal psilocybin therapy in Colorado will take time. The state is currently in the process of developing regulations, licensing procedures, and training programs for therapists. It is expected that the first legal psilocybin therapy centers will start operating in the start around early 2025.
What Will Legal Psychedelic Therapy Cost in Colorado?
The cost of legal psychedelic therapy in Colorado will depend on various factors, including the specific treatment center, the duration and intensity of the therapy, and the qualifications of the therapists involved. As the industry develops and competition increases, the costs may become more affordable. However, it is important to note that psychedelic therapy is generally not covered by health insurance plans at present, so individuals should anticipate out-of-pocket expenses.
Likely costs will vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Colorado is at the forefront of the evolving landscape of psilocybin therapy in the United States. With the passing of Proposition 122, the state is paving the way for legal and regulated use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings. As the framework is developed and implemented, individuals seeking alternative treatments for mental health conditions may soon have access to legal psilocybin therapy centers in Colorado.