As votes continue to be counted in Colorado, it’s now very clear that the Natural Medicine Health Act (“NMHA”) has passed with approximately 53% support from voters (over 1.28 million yes votes). The measure decriminalizes personal use, possession, cultivation, and adult sharing of five psychedelics: psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline (excluding peyote), DMT, and iboga. The decriminalization provisions go into effect in the next few weeks once the Governor certifies the election. In addition to decriminalization, the measure applies retroactively to cases still open in the state court system and also requires mandatory record sealing for old convictions for offenses that are now legal under NMHA. The passage of this historic measure means that Colorado is the first state in the nation where ayahuasca, DMT, and iboga are legal for adult use, and it is the second state to decriminalize psilocybin personal use.
The passage of this historic measure means that Colorado is the first state in the nation where ayahuasca, DMT, and iboga are legal for adult use, and it is the second state to decriminalize psilocybin personal use.
In addition to decriminalization, NMHA creates a pathway for regulated access for psilocybin starting in late 2024. The state, with input from an advisory board, will develop rules in 2023 into 2024. The advisory board members will be appointed by the Governor to advise the state agency that will regulate the treatment centers. The application for this advisory board is already open and available on the Governor’s website here (click on the Natural Medicine Advisory Board to apply). NMHA requires representation on the advisory board from people with expertise in Indigenous use, therapy, mycology, cultivation, emergency medical services, public health, religious use, disparities in access to health care, and past criminal reform efforts in Colorado. If you are interested in applying for the advisory board, you should do so as soon as possible.
Chacruna celebrates this historic progress for psychedelics in the United States and is committed to urging Colorado to fulfill the social justice provisions of the new law.
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