Colorado prepares for psychedelic therapy rollout
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Mazatec psilocybin mushrooms ready for harvest in Denver. Photo: Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
As the rules governing Colorado's psychedelic therapy program near finalization, those set to participate in the program starting next year say they see it as a promising treatment option.
The big picture: License applications for healing center and facilitators (essentially, treatment providers) to provide psilocybin therapy will open by Dec. 31, Tasia Poinsatte, Colorado director for the Healing Advocacy Fund, tells us.
- The Healing Advocacy Fund helped craft the state's regulations and works to educate the public about the state's program.
Why it matters: Colorado's psychedelic therapy program will serve as a national model, laying the groundwork for potential expansion to other states.
State of play: Supporters expect the federal government to follow Colorado's development closely as it's warmed in recent years to the idea of using psychedelic drugs for medical treatment.
- Psilocybin treatment can help with depression, end-of-life anxiety and addiction. Oregon is the only state currently offering such treatment.
The intrigue: President-elect Trump's administration could expand its medical use.
- His pick to lead Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has suggested he supports reversing the federal government's regulations on psychedelics.
What they're saying: "I think over the long term, there's a significant potential for [Colorado's] programs to help support changes at the federal level," Healing Advocacy Fund executive director Taylor West said Thursday during a press briefing.
- Mikki Vogt, a future facilitator based in Littleton, on Thursday said this new treatment option will be "monumental" for health care in Colorado.
How it works: Colorado's four-step model begins with a screening to match a patient with a licensed facilitator who then explains the entire process before administering psilocybin.
- Afterward, the patient meets with the facilitator to evaluate the experience to determine its benefits.
Between the lines: Licensed healing centers in Colorado will open in places such as health care facilities, retreat centers and patients' homes, which will require additional safety protocols.
Zoom out: Colorado's program does not allow retail sales for psychedelics. Only people ages 21 and older can legally use the treatment or use five naturally occurring psychedelics outlined in state law for personal use.
What's next: Healing centers are expected to open next summer.