Sarah Brown
As of 2025, Colorado has decriminalized the use, possession, and cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms for adults 21 and older. However, the sale of these mushrooms remains illegal, and harsh penalties are in place for those caught distributing them. Instead, Colorado plans to establish a regulated environment for the therapeutic use of mushrooms, with licensed facilitators conducting sessions in healing centers. This model is expected to be similar to Oregon's supervised mushroom services, which can cost upwards of $3,000 per trip. While Colorado's exact pricing is unknown, it will likely be expensive and highly regulated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of selling mushrooms | The sale of mushrooms remains illegal in Colorado. |
| Legality of possessing mushrooms | Possession of mushrooms is legal in Colorado for people 21 and older. |
| Legality of growing mushrooms | People 21 and older may grow mushrooms in a private residence, in an area no larger than 12 by 12 feet. |
| Legality of sharing mushrooms | People 21 and older may share mushrooms with each other. |
| Legality of consuming mushrooms | People 21 and older may consume mushrooms without facing criminal penalties. |
| Legality of advertising mushrooms | Mushroom-sharing guides cannot pay for advertising. |
| Legality of displaying or consuming mushrooms in public | It is illegal to "openly and publicly" display or consume mushrooms, but no criminal penalties are attached to such actions. Penalties include a fine of up to $100 and 24 hours of public service. |
| Federal legality of mushrooms | Psychedelic mushrooms remain illegal at the federal level, but it is unlikely that federal agencies will prosecute individuals following state law. |
| State-regulated mushroom services | Colorado is establishing a therapeutic licensing program for the use of mushrooms in regulated environments, with licensed facilitators conducting therapeutic sessions. |
| Cost of regulated mushroom services | In Oregon, which has a similar regulated system, prices for a single trip run more than $3,000. |
| Requirements for regulated mushroom services | Facilitators will need to undergo training and licensing, and provide multiple hours of supervision for each client. |
| Affordability of regulated mushroom services | It is unclear who will be able to afford to participate in the regulated market, both as clients and as facilitators. |
| Alternative to regulated mushroom services | Coloradans may choose the cheaper, unregulated market or use mushrooms recreationally. |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms are decriminalized in Colorado, but not legal to sell
- Colorado residents can grow and share mushrooms, but not sell them
- Healing centres will provide regulated, therapeutic sessions with psilocybin
- Licensed facilitators will guide users through the therapeutic process
- Mushrooms can be used to treat mental health issues, but must be prescribed
Magic mushrooms are decriminalized in Colorado, but not legal to sell
In 2022, Colorado passed Proposition 122, which decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms for individuals 21 years of age and older. This means that adults in Colorado can legally possess, consume, and share psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline. They can also cultivate their own supply of psychedelic mushrooms in a private residence, provided they prevent access to individuals under 21.
However, it is important to note that the sale of magic mushrooms remains illegal in Colorado. While the decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms has reduced the fear of punishment for those involved in the mushroom business, the act of selling these substances is still a criminal offense. Those caught selling psilocybin mushrooms, especially to minors, face harsh penalties, including significant prison time and hefty fines.
The state of Colorado is working towards establishing a regulated environment for the therapeutic use of psychedelic mushrooms. The state's natural medicine program is expected to be operational by 2025, allowing licensed facilitators to conduct therapeutic sessions using psilocybin. This regulated system will likely involve strict requirements, training, licensing, and supervision for each client, similar to the framework implemented in Oregon.
In the meantime, a gray market has emerged in Colorado, with people offering mushrooms and related services. This unregulated market raises concerns about quality control and potential scams. While there are no plans for over-the-counter retail sales of psilocybin, individuals seeking mushrooms for therapeutic purposes will need to go through licensed guides or therapists.
It is worth noting that despite the decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms in Colorado, these substances remain illegal at the federal level. While the state law provides some protection, there is still a possibility of prosecution by federal agencies.
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Colorado residents can grow and share mushrooms, but not sell them
Colorado has decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms, allowing residents to grow and share them. However, selling mushrooms is still illegal in the state, and those caught doing so face harsh penalties.
In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122, which decriminalized the personal possession, growing, sharing, and use of psychedelic mushrooms for individuals aged 21 and over. This means that adults in Colorado can legally possess, consume, and share psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline. They can also cultivate their own supply of psychedelic mushrooms within a 12-by-12-foot area in their private residences, as long as they restrict access to individuals under the age of 21.
While the decriminalization of mushrooms has reduced criminal penalties for possession, cultivation, and use, the sale of mushrooms remains illegal. Those caught selling psilocybin mushrooms, especially to minors, face severe consequences. The penalties for selling mushrooms depend on the amount of the drug involved and can result in felony charges, imprisonment, and substantial fines.
Colorado is in the process of establishing a regulated environment for the therapeutic use of mushrooms. The state can now issue licenses to psychedelic mushroom therapy facilitators, and healing centers are expected to open in the future. However, even after the establishment of these centers, the retail sale of mushrooms will not be permitted. Instead, interested individuals will undergo a screening process and participate in therapeutic sessions with licensed facilitators.
The decriminalization of mushrooms in Colorado has led to a "'gray market," with people growing and distributing the drug with little fear of punishment. This has raised concerns about a potential sprawling, unregulated market with limited controls on quality. As a result, Colorado residents have the option of choosing between highly regulated clinical services, the unregulated market, or using mushrooms recreationally.
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Healing centres will provide regulated, therapeutic sessions with psilocybin
In Colorado, it is now legal for individuals over 21 to possess, share, and use psychedelic mushrooms, including psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline. People over 21 may also grow these mushrooms in a private residence, provided they restrict access to individuals under 21. However, the sale of psilocybin mushrooms remains illegal in the state, and harsh penalties are in place for those caught selling them.
Despite the decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms for personal use, Colorado will not be accepting applications for healing centres, cultivators, testing centres, and other related businesses until the end of 2024. This means that no healing centres with psilocybin treatments are currently operational. Even when healing centres do become operational, Colorado's legislation will not permit the retail sale of mushrooms, and there are no plans to allow psychedelic dispensaries. Instead, individuals in Colorado will have to choose between a highly regulated, expensive clinical service and the unregulated market or recreational use.
Colorado can now issue licenses to psychedelic mushroom therapy facilitators, and a handful of applications have already been received. These licenses will be required to cultivate mushrooms, manufacture natural medicines, and operate healing centres. Healing centres could open as early as April 2025, but early summer is considered more likely. Before participating in a therapeutic session, individuals will need to go through a screening process to determine any risks associated with taking psilocybin. There are four steps to the psilocybin therapeutic model: assessment, preparation, administration, and integration. First, an interested participant will go through a screening process to determine if they are a good fit for psychedelic therapy and the type of facilitator they would work best with. The participant then meets with their facilitator to learn about the administration process, set goals for their session, and develop a safety plan. Then, the facilitator will administer psilocybin at a licensed service centre, overseeing the session and supporting the participant throughout. An administration session can last five hours or longer. The participant will meet with their facilitator again after their session to “integrate insights and learnings from the psilocybin experience into daily life” and make plans for future support.
Research has suggested that psilocybin could be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, and major depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” option for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. Advocates argue that psilocybin will serve as another tool in the mental health care toolkit, which could be particularly beneficial for veterans.
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Licensed facilitators will guide users through the therapeutic process
In Colorado, it is now legal for people aged 21 and older to possess, share and use psychedelic mushrooms, including psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline. People in this age group may also grow psychedelic mushrooms in a private residence, as long as those under 21 are kept away from them. However, the sale of mushrooms remains illegal.
Colorado is in the process of establishing a therapeutic licensing program for psychedelic mushrooms. The state can now issue licenses to psychedelic mushroom therapy facilitators, allowing them to conduct therapeutic sessions using psilocybin. These licensed facilitators will guide users through a structured therapeutic process.
The therapeutic model for psilocybin in Colorado consists of four steps: assessment, preparation, administration, and integration. Firstly, interested participants undergo a screening process to determine their suitability for psychedelic therapy and identify the most suitable facilitator for them. During the preparation stage, the participant meets with their facilitator to learn about the administration process, set goals, and develop a safety plan.
The administration phase involves the facilitator overseeing the session and supporting the participant throughout. An administration session typically lasts at least five hours. Finally, during the integration phase, the participant meets with the facilitator again to apply the insights and learnings from the psilocybin experience to their daily life and plan for any necessary future support.
The licensing structure for mushroom therapy facilitators in Colorado is expected to be rigorous, requiring training, multiple hours of supervision for each client, and strict adherence to regulations. This highly regulated environment aims to ensure the safe and responsible use of psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.
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Mushrooms can be used to treat mental health issues, but must be prescribed
In Colorado, it is now legal for people aged 21 and over to possess, share, use, and grow psychedelic mushrooms, including psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline. However, it is important to note that the sale of these mushrooms remains illegal in the state. While the act of selling mushrooms is prohibited, individuals can give them away to others aged 21 and older. This has led to the emergence of a "'gray market,'" where people provide mushroom-related services without engaging in direct sales.
Proposition 122, approved by Colorado voters in 2022, made the state the second, after Oregon, to decriminalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms. This initiative proposed amending state statutes to decriminalize the personal possession, cultivation, sharing, and use of specific psychedelic substances by individuals aged 21 and over. It is important to emphasize that this decriminalization does not include the sale of these substances.
The push for decriminalization and regulated use of psychedelic mushrooms in Colorado is driven in part by the potential mental health benefits associated with psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms." Research suggests that psilocybin can be a valuable tool in treating various mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, and major depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated psilocybin as a "breakthrough therapy" option for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder.
Colorado is establishing a regulated environment for the therapeutic use of psychedelic mushrooms, with licensed facilitators conducting sessions in licensed service centers. This framework includes a screening process to determine an individual's suitability for psychedelic therapy and the facilitation of integration of insights gained from the experience into daily life. However, it is important to note that negative experiences, such as feelings of intense fear and paranoia ("bad trips"), can occur during the use of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is legal in Colorado for people 21 and older to possess, share and use magic mushrooms. People 21 and older may also grow psychedelic mushrooms in a private residence as long as people under 21 are kept away from them.
No, the act of selling magic mushrooms remains illegal in Colorado. However, there is a gray market where mushroom-sharing guides provide people with access to mushrooms.
No, there will not be any way to legally buy magic mushrooms in a retail setting. Instead, Coloradans will have to choose between a highly regulated, expensive clinical service, the likely cheaper unregulated market, and just using mushrooms recreationally.
