Colorado's Psychedelics Decriminalization Law Officially Certified By Gov. Polis

Results from Colorado’s decision to decriminalize psilocybin and other “natural medicines” in November’s elections officially took effect Tuesday, Dec. 27 with the certification of Prop. 122 by Gov. Jared Polis.

Benzinga got some exclusive insights into what the new measure entails, concerns surrounding it, and the upcoming legal scenario, from Prop. 122’s co-author and chair of the Natural Medicine Colorado campaign committee Joshua Kappel.

The new psychedelics law permits adults over 21 to process, store, transport, gift, obtain, and consume “natural medicine” for personal use. 

It also provides a regulatory structure for soon-to-be-created healing centers that will provide services related to naturally-occurring psychedelics as medicine. The implementation of this structure and development of regulations is set to take place in the state’s Legislature and through rulemaking processes starting in 2023.

Kappel, a founding partner of Vicente Sederberg LLP says that Prop. 122 will allow adults in Colorado to “safely access and benefit from psilocybin and other natural psychedelic medicines,” considering the “large and growing body of research demonstrating the benefits of these substances in the treatment of depression, addiction, PTSD, and other conditions.” 

He called it a measure that “puts the wellbeing of patients and communities first,” by removing severe criminal penalties for personal possession and employing an implementation process that will allow the timely development of an “appropriate” safety and regulatory structure. 

“We are excited to get to work on implementing this important new law. Our goals include creating an accessible and balanced facilitator training system, an effective equity program, a first-of-its-kind ESG screen, and safe access to natural psychedelic therapies,” Kappel said. “In the meantime, adults in Colorado can begin to have more open and honest conversations about these medicines with their doctors. Adults who can benefit from these substances will finally be able to engage in psychedelic therapies without fear of arrest and prosecution.” 

Photo courtesy of Chones and Cannabis_Pic on Shutterstock and Wikimedia Commons.