Michael Davis
In 2019, Denver became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and in 2022, Colorado followed suit, decriminalizing certain psychedelics and legalizing medical psilocybin. As a result, there has been a rise in gray market practitioners offering guided experiences and other mushroom-related services in the Denver area. While it is not illegal for adults over 21 to possess, grow, and share psychedelic mushrooms, the sale of these mushrooms remains a felony. However, this hasn't stopped some businesses from openly advertising and selling mushrooms, with the belief that they are operating within a legal gray area. As the laws continue to evolve, it is expected that there will be an increase in mushroom-related opportunities for consumers in Denver and Colorado.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of selling mushrooms in Denver | Selling mushrooms is illegal in Denver, but they can be shared or given away for free |
| Legal status of magic mushrooms in Denver | Magic mushrooms have been decriminalized in Denver, and adults over 21 can possess and consume them |
| Businesses offering magic mushrooms in Denver | Some businesses, like Lyman Support Centers, offer magic mushrooms as natural medicine or through guided experiences |
| Regulation of magic mushroom sales in Denver | The state of Colorado is planning to launch a strictly regulated mushroom industry to replace the current grey market |
| Types of mushrooms sold in Denver | Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or psychedelic mushrooms |
| Other mushroom businesses in Denver | Mile High Fungi, a company that grows gourmet mushrooms like shiitake, oysters, and lion's mane |
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What You'll Learn
Denver's first magic mushroom co-op
Denver has been at the forefront of the movement to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms in the United States. In 2019, a proposal passed, making it the first city in the country to decriminalize psilocybin. This set the stage for similar efforts across the state of Colorado.
One of the first magic mushroom co-ops in Denver is run by Darren Lyman, who operates under the name Lyman Support Centers. Lyman's facility is tucked away just off Santa Fe Drive in Denver. He believes he is operating within the law by providing “support” sessions and giving away mushrooms as a free gift afterward. While he does not explicitly sell psilocybin, he charges for his time and advice, and the mushrooms are provided without any monetary exchange.
Lyman sources his mushrooms from various Colorado growers and has them tested for potency and purity. He plans to expand his product line to include psilocybin-infused lotions, creams, and even lip balm. About 20 people are members of the co-op, and Lyman receives around three to five calls per day from interested individuals.
Lyman is confident in his interpretation of the law, specifically Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act (Proposition 122), which decriminalized certain psychedelics and legalized personal cultivation, possession, and sharing of psilocybin. He does not consider his operation to be a supervised use site or a retail outlet, and he intends to apply for licenses and permits when they become available.
While Lyman's business has attracted attention from law enforcement, he has not been charged or forced to shut down. His venture into the magic mushroom space is an extension of his interest in CBD and THC production, which began when his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Lyman is also a licensed medical marijuana caregiver and hopes to launch a CBD edibles business in the future.
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Psilocybin mushroom legality in Denver
In 2019, Denver became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in certain mushrooms. This meant that individuals over the age of 21 were allowed to possess and share psilocybin mushrooms, but not sell them. The move was the result of a public campaign led by a group called Denver for Psilocybin.
Following the successful decriminalization in Denver, the effort was scaled to the entire state of Colorado, leading to the passing of Proposition 122 in 2022. The proposition decriminalized five natural psychedelic substances, effectively removing criminal penalties for personal use, growing, and sharing for adults over the age of 21. It also legalized medical psilocybin, including personal cultivation, possession, and sharing.
While the sale of psilocybin mushrooms remains illegal in Colorado, a grey market has emerged, with individuals and businesses offering mushrooms and related services. Some businesses operate as "support centers" or "healing centers," providing guidance and support for individuals seeking to use psilocybin. These centers may offer psilocybin mushrooms as a "free gift" alongside the sale of other services, such as advice, informational pamphlets, and harm reduction services.
The state of Colorado is expected to launch a strictly regulated mushroom industry, with applications for psilocybin production facilities and supervised use sites becoming available in the future. However, operators of such businesses will first need to obtain licenses from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Department of Revenue's new Natural Medicine Division (NMD). As the industry moves towards legalization and regulation, there will likely be an influx of magic mushroom-related opportunities for consumers in Denver and across Colorado.
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Magic mushroom decriminalization in 2019
In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms". The ballot initiative, which passed with 50.6% of the vote, did not legalize mushrooms but prohibited Denver from using resources to prosecute people for their use or possession. This initiative set a precedent for other cities across the country to follow suit.
Since the decriminalization of psilocybin in Denver in 2019, its usage has doubled among US adults, according to a study by Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that the percentage of US adults who have used psilocybin at least once rose from 10% in 2019 to 12.1% by 2023, an increase from 25 million adults to over 31 million. This increase in usage was not limited to adults, with the percentage of US adolescents aged 12-17 who have used psilocybin in their lifetimes increasing from 1.1% in 2019 to 1.3% in 2023.
Following Denver's lead, several other US cities have decriminalized psilocybin through ballot initiatives or city council votes. These include Oakland and Santa Cruz in California, Washington D.C., Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton in Massachusetts, Seattle, Washington, Detroit, Michigan, and more. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised use.
In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122, which decriminalized certain psychedelics and legalized medical psilocybin. Under this law, adults in Colorado can cultivate, possess, and share psilocybin mushrooms, plants with DMT and mescaline (except peyote), and cultivate and possess ibogaine. However, the commercial sale of psilocybin is still illegal.
While the decriminalization of psilocybin has led to increased accessibility and reduced stigma, it is important to note that it does not mean the substance is legal. Psilocybin remains a federally controlled substance in the United States, and its use, sale, and possession are illegal under federal law.
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The legality of selling mushrooms in Denver
The sale of psychedelic mushrooms in Denver exists in a legal grey area. While the sale of psychedelic mushrooms remains a felony, recent changes in local legislation have decriminalized the possession and sharing of such substances.
In 2019, Denver became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic. This move was the result of a campaign by a group called Denver for Psilocybin. The success of this campaign led to a ballot decision that scaled the decriminalization of psilocybin to the entire state.
In 2022, Colorado voters approved the Natural Medicine Health Act, or Proposition 122, which decriminalized certain psychedelics and legalized medical psilocybin. Under this legislation, adults can cultivate, possess, and share psychedelic substances for personal use, but not sell them. The law also allows for the sale of "harm reduction services," which can include guiding individuals through their experiences with psilocybin. However, these services cannot be advertised as providing mushrooms, and the mushrooms themselves cannot be sold.
Despite the decriminalization of psilocybin, the sale of psychedelic mushrooms remains a complex issue. Some businesses in Denver, such as the Lyman Support Centers, have begun offering psilocybin mushrooms as natural medicine. The owner, Darren Lyman, argues that he is operating within the law by providing support services and information, while the mushrooms themselves are free. Law enforcement has taken notice of these operations, but no charges have been brought forward.
The state of Colorado is expected to launch a strictly regulated mushroom industry, which may push some of these early "gray market" practitioners out of business. However, the exact timeline for the implementation of this regulated industry is unclear, and in the meantime, the grey market continues to grow.
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The future of Denver's mushroom industry
Denver has been at the forefront of the push to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms in Colorado. In 2019, the city became the first in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin, and this effort was later scaled up to the entire state. This meant that adults over the age of 21 could legally possess and share psychedelic mushrooms, but not sell them.
The passage of Proposition 122 in 2022, or the Natural Medicine Health Act, further advanced the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms in Colorado. Under this legislation, adults can now cultivate, possess, and share psilocybin mushrooms, as well as plants with DMT and mescaline (except peyote).
While the sale of psilocybin mushrooms remains illegal, a gray market has emerged in Denver, with individuals offering "sharing services" and guided experiences. However, the state plans to launch a strictly regulated mushroom industry, which could push these informal operators out of business.
The first legal psychedelic mushrooms are expected to arrive in 2025, and they will be available at licensed facilities. These facilities will be able to sell and administer psychedelic mushrooms to individuals over the age of 21 while they are at the facility. The facilities will not be allowed to sell mushrooms for personal use outside of the center.
One notable example of a business operating in this space is the Lyman Support Center, which offers magic mushrooms for "free" alongside support sessions. The owner, Darren Lyman, believes he is operating legally by selling advice and informational pamphlets about psilocybin use rather than the mushrooms themselves.
As the laws continue to evolve and more businesses enter the market, there will likely be an increase in magic mushroom-related opportunities for consumers in Denver and across Colorado.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, magic mushrooms are decriminalized in Denver, and adults over the age of 21 can possess and share them. However, selling magic mushrooms is still illegal.
Magic mushrooms can be obtained through harm reduction services, mental health physicians, or therapists who offer guidance and provide mushrooms as a free gift. Additionally, there are grey market practitioners in Denver who offer guided experiences and other mushroom-related services.
Licensed facilities for the production and supervised use of psilocybin mushrooms are expected to become available in the future. However, as of 2025, there are no reports of licensed facilities specifically in Denver.
Under Proposition 122, adults in Denver can cultivate, possess, and share psilocybin mushrooms. However, selling magic mushrooms is illegal, and advertising the sharing of mushrooms is prohibited. The use of magic mushrooms is restricted to private spaces.
