When it comes to tax increases, Colorado residents are usually a hard sell. But when it comes to making drugs legal, they are getting a reputation as push-overs. That began course when in 2012 the Centennial State became the first to make marijuana legal for recreational uses.

Now ten years later, Colorado voters have voted 1.053,531 to 489,740 to legalize medicinal psychedelics., a 51.56 percent favorable vote to 48.44 percent against.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms,” often in the Psilocybe genus. Its uses are involved in spiritual rituals, recreation, and for medicine.

Psilocybin has hallucinogenic effects. It can be obtained from both fresh and dried mushrooms in varying concentrations. It can also be created in a lab. There’s increased interest in using pure psilocybin for addictions, depression, and other mental and psychological disorders because of its potential to stimulate certain areas of the brain. 

People use psilocybin for alcohol use disorder and other addictions, anxiety, depression, migraines, PSTD, and many other conditions, but there is not a lot of scientific evidence to support these uses.

And Psilocybin is illegal under federal law in the US. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. 

Colorado’s Proposition 122, a ballot measure adopted on Nov. 8, was the second U.S. State to break with the federal government by legalizing medicinal psychedelics. Natural Medicine Colorado, the pro-122 campaign, has declared victory, which was acknowledged by Protect Colorado Kids, the opposition campaign.

The ballot measure makes legal psilocybin and psilocin, the two compounds found in “magic mushrooms.” Use is limited to “healing centers” with so-called therapeutic centers under the supervision of certain licensed professionals.

Personal growing and use and sharing of the “magic mushroom” compounds are also permitted including ibogaine, mescaline, and dimethylamine or DMT for adults is also permitted under 122.

Oregon was the first to make “magic mushrooms” legal in 2020.

The Colorado law requires the state Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to adopt licensing criteria for psychedelic treatment centers, facilitators, and ancillary businesses no later than January 2024. Applications are anticipated by late 2024, and DORA may expand the list of psychedelics

Denver was the first city to legalize “magic mushrooms,” which since ruled no public health or safety risk resulted from that action.

Foraging for wild fungi is not without risk.

Magic mushrooms have some very poisonous, potentially deadly look-alikes. So, foragers must know what species they are looking for and how to identify magic mushrooms in their region before venturing into the field.

The increased interest in psilocybin-containing mushrooms and their foraging may also negatively impact some species’ populations.

Additionally, possessing psilocybin mushrooms also remains federally illegal.