Colorado’s role as a leader in the psychedelic movement in America is widely recognized, particularly in the wake of the War on Drugs in the early 1970s. The state’s remarkable progress in the realm of psychedelics absolutely serves as a guiding light for other states to follow suit.
On July 1st, 2023, an important milestone was reached as Colorado implemented Senate Bill 23-290, which not only carries out Proposition 122 but also seeks to establish a more precise and streamlined framework for the safe and legal use of natural medicine substances.
In order to fully grasp the significance of this new bill, it’s crucial to dive into the realm of psychedelic therapy and understand the historical journey that has brought psychedelics to the forefront in Colorado over the years.
Additionally, we will go into detail about the contents of SB 23-290 and the ways in which it can offer assistance and benefits to the residents of Colorado.
If you are ready to begin your search for psychedelic therapy options in Colorado, you have come to the right place. We will provide you with all of the information and resources necessary to navigate this exciting frontier, including how to connect with local, pre-vetted guides.
What is Psychedelic Therapy?
Before going into the details of SB 23-290, it’s important that you fully understand the transformative potential of psychedelic therapy and everything it has to offer.
Psychedelic therapy, also known as psychedelic-assisted therapy, is a form of psychiatric treatment that involves the ingestion of psychoactive substances under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
These professionals can include psychedelic therapists or guides/facilitators who share similar responsibilities but bring different expertise to the table. Guides rely on personal experience, while therapists possess a medical license.
Psychedelic therapy is composed of three key stages: preparation, session, and integration. Your psychedelic therapist or guide will be with you every step of the way during your journey.
Any psychedelic can be used in psychedelic therapy, but psychedelic mushrooms tend to be the most common choice. Choosing which psychedelic to use will depend on your reason for the journey and what outcomes you are after.
If you are still unsure of what psychedelic to use, your guide can help. Additionally, your therapist/guide will conduct a health screening during the preparation stage to ensure suitability for the experience.
Therapists and guides will also help you establish an intention, which serves as the focal point of your journey and answers the question, “What are you seeking?”. Many people initially have broad intentions, to which your therapist/guide will help you in narrowing it down.
During your actual psychedelic experience, your therapist/guide will be by your side, offering support as needed and creating a reassuring environment. However, contrary to their title, they won’t direct your experience, as you are the one in control.
Your psychedelic journey doesn’t stop once the actual experience is finished. In the following weeks, your therapist/guide will work with you to integrate the insights and lessons from your experience into your daily life.
Given the intensity of psychedelic encounters, processing everything may take several weeks. These integration sessions will continue for weeks following the experience, ensuring a thorough and effective integration process to help you experience the most benefits possible.
The History of Psychedelics in Colorado
In 2012, Colorado made history by becoming the first state to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. Although cannabis isn’t typically classified as a traditional psychedelic, this landmark decision laid the groundwork for future psychedelic legislation in the United States.
The city of Denver became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin containing mushrooms in 2019. In the following years, Colorado voters approved the groundbreaking Natural Medicine Health Act, or Proposition 122, on November 8, 2022.
Prop 122 decriminalized personal possession, growing, sharing, and use of natural psychedelic substances for those over the age of 21. These substances include psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline that is not derived from peyote.
In April 2023, Senate President Steve Fenberg and Representative Judy Amabile introduced SB 23-290, which refined the regulatory framework established by Prop 122. This new legislation seeks to establish a more straightforward approach to the legal use of natural psychedelics.
As a result of this general decriminalization, licensed healing centers will be permitted to administer natural psychedelic medicine, and by late 2024, these licensed facilities will be authorized to offer supervised use of psychedelic mushrooms to individuals aged 21 and over.
Starting in 2026, the state may choose to expand the range of substances permitted for use at these facilities to include additional plant-based psychedelic substances.
Download Our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide
For harm-reduction purposes, we provide links to online psilocybin vendors, local stores, delivery services, and spore vendors for growing your own medicine at home.
Does SB 23-290 Legalize Psychedelics in Colorado Springs?
On May 23, 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB 23-290, also known as the Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization Bill, into law. This bill is absolutely a huge advancement in the legality of psychedelics. But, does this bill legalize all psychedelics in the city of Colorado Springs?
First, let’s go over what all is included in SB 23-290 and how this affects the state of Colorado. The legislation is a response to Prop 122, a successful ballot initiative passed the previous year that legalized psychedelic mushrooms and mandated state-regulated healing centers where patients could consume natural psychedelics in a controlled environment.
While licensed psilocybin therapy centers may open by late 2024, retail operations are not permitted under Prop 122. Therefore, unlike cannabis dispensaries, there won’t be mushroom dispensaries in Colorado.
Another key focus of this bill is respecting and honoring indigenous communities, particularly regarding facilitators with connections to the traditional use of natural medicine, in order to prevent the commercialization of these substances.
As SB 23-290 is another step in the right direction in the psychedelic world, this does not mean there are no more restrictions and penalties when it comes to natural psychedelic substances.
Under the law, individuals can grow and consume psilocybin mushrooms and their derivatives, ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT for personal use. Sharing or gifting these substances is allowed (besides ibogaine), but selling them is prohibited.
When it comes to personal cultivation, adults can only cultivate natural psychedelics in a private residence within an enclosed space that does not exceed 12 by 12 feet. Violating these cultivation limits can result in a $1,000 fine.
Additionally, public display or consumption of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $100 and no more than 24 hours of public service.
Individuals under 21 years old are prohibited from possessing or consuming these substances, with penalties of fines up to $100 or four hours of substance use education and counseling.
Colorado’s groundbreaking legislative progress certainly sets the stage for the regulated use of natural psychedelics across the United States. While these substances are not yet federally legal, this legislation provides a framework for the safe and ethical use of natural medicines.
So to answer the question, SB 23-290 does not legalize all psychedelics in Colorado Springs, but instead establishes regulated use of natural psychedelic substances, with some specific guidelines and penalties for violations.
What Does This Mean For Potential Patients in Colorado?
SB 23-290 is a huge advancement when it comes to psychedelic therapy. So if you live in the state of Colorado, psychedelic therapy will be available to you soon.
As previously stated, SB 23-290 permits licensed healing centers to administer certain psychedelics under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
However, other kinds of psychedelic therapy are already available in the state of Colorado, such as cannabis-assisted therapy and ketamine therapy.
The emergence of psychedelic therapy brings forth numerous benefits for individuals seeking treatment and has the potential to revolutionize the way we address mental health conditions today, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
When it comes to treating mental health conditions, many treatments on the market don’t work for everyone. Patients often embark on a lengthy journey of trial and error, enduring months of experimentation with different medications. Unfortunately, some may not find relief at all.
Even for those who experience positive effects, it can take weeks to notice any improvement, and sometimes symptoms get worse before getting better. Another common treatment is talk therapy, which is often most effective in combination with another form of immersive therapy.
The accessibility of these traditional treatments can also pose challenges. From the cost of traveling to therapy sessions to the expenses associated with treatment, these barriers negatively impact the healing journey.
Luckily, psychedelic therapy has demonstrated remarkable advantages in treating mental disorders. The effects of this new type of therapy have been shown to last for months and even years.
Furthermore, the benefits of psychedelic therapy are further enhanced when combined with ongoing integration and talk therapy sessions.
Over time, as patients continue their psychedelic therapy journey, the symptoms of their condition continue to diminish, allowing for a more profound healing process.
One of the key differentiators of psychedelic therapy is its ability to address the root causes of mental health problems rather than just treating the symptoms alone, as many current medications tend to do.
What Does This Mean for Psychedelic Passage?
Facilitators in our network who are located in Colorado are able to gift clients natural medicines as a part of facilitating our ceremonial program provided there is payment for the services only and not the medicine itself.
This means that our program costs for ceremonial programs are the same regardless of whether the facilitator is providing medicine or not. Clients can still source their own medicine if they’d like–this simply provides an option for the facilitator to provide as well.
Psychedelic therapy brings hope to those who have exhausted all other options when it comes to treating their mental health condition. With the milestones of Prop 122 and SB 23-290, being able to receive psychedelic therapy legally is now a reality in Colorado.
Psychedelic Passage: Our Services
Here at Psychedelic Passage, we offer services that will help you begin your transformative healing journey through the use of psychedelics. While licensed psychedelic healing centers aren’t available in Colorado yet, having a psychedelic journey is already a reality with Psychedelic Passage.
We have curated a network of psychedelic professionals across the country. Whether you’re located in Colorado Springs or Denver, our network of psychedelic facilitators are able to come to you.
From psilocybin to LSD, our network of facilitators are equipped to working with a wide range of psychedelics. Because of the recent legislation passed in Colorado, your guide may be able to help you obtain a psychedelic substance for your healing journey.
We offer a 5-week program that is completely tailored to you. Our program includes preparation sessions, trip-sitting, integration sessions, text and email support, and microdosing coaching. To learn more about our program, we invite you to reference our program and pricing guide.
Out Network of Guides Service Every Major Colorado Area
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- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Aurora
- Fort Collins
- Lakewood
- Thorton
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Pueblo
- Centennial
- Boulder
- Greely
- Highlands Ranch
- Longmont
- Loveland
- Broomfield
- Castle Rock
- Grand Junction
- Parker
Connect With Our Network of Pre-Vetted Psychedelic Guides
At Psychedelic Passage, we understand how important and personal your healing journey is. Let us help you get started on your psychedelic journey today by booking a consultation with one of our knowledgeable concierges.
It’s important to be fully prepared before beginning your psychedelic journey, so head on over to our resources page to find the answers to all of your psychedelic questions. As always, embrace your well-deserved journey!
