Plant medicine encompasses the extraordinary gifts from the earth that open doors to non-ordinary states of consciousness. Known by many names—hallucinogens, psychedelics, entheogens, empathogens, and beyond—these substances have been intricately woven into cultural ceremonies worldwide for millennia.

Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act uses the term “Natural Medicine”: substances in any form that would cause such plant or fungus to be described in the "Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 2013," Article 18 of Title 18: DMT; ibogaine; mescaline (excluding peyote); psilocybin/psilocyn.

During the 1950s and ’60s, there was significant interest in the potential of psychedelics to treat mental illness and substance use disorders. However, the political backlash of the 1970s halted research, leading to the criminalization of plant medicines amid the sweeping drug war. The U.S. government classified many natural substances as Schedule I drugs, despite evidence of their medical benefits and anti-addictive properties.

In the past decade, a resurgence of research has emerged, revealing promise and ongoing clinical trials. We are actively working to educate lawmakers and society about the benefits of these medicines.

Johann Hari’s book, Chasing The Scream, offers a comprehensive analysis of the drug war.

Plant medicines should be used with education and respect and are not suitable for everyone. At APRC, we advocate for the right to heal safely, which requires informed usage. APRC provides support and information about potential contraindications, risk reduction, and where to find professional assistance.

The Natural Medicine Health Act, Proposition 122, decriminalized the personal use and possession (for adults age 21 and older) of the following hallucinogenic/ entheogenic plants and fungi, which were classified as Schedule I controlled substances under state law going into the 2022 election (see timeline):

• dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

• ibogaine

• mescaline (excluding peyote)

• psilocybin/psilocin

Anyone who completed a sentence following a conviction related to the personal use or possession of such psychedelic plants and fungi is set to be able to file a petition asking a court to seal the record of the conviction.

Proposition 122 was designed to:

• create a natural medicine services program for the supervised administration of such substances;

• create a framework for regulating the growth, distribution, and sale of such substances to permitted entities; and

• create the Natural Medicine Advisory Board to promulgate rules and implement the regulated access program.

The measure did not provide for retail sales of such psychedelic plants and fungi.

The Colorado legislation written in 2022 is specific to the substances mentioned in the measure (DMT, Ibogaine, Mescaline, Psilocybin, and Psilocin). These substances have a specific timeline and details are being organized by anofficial advisory board.

As of January 2025, psilocybin and psilocin will be classified as regulated substances, and you may find licensed treatment centers that are operating above board.

There are many plant medicines and psychedelics that are NOT included, such as:

• Coca Leaf (cocaine, coca tea, mambe)

• Opium

• MDA (Sass or Sassafras)

• MDMA (molly, ecstasy)

• LSD

• Peyote*

*Peyote, and endangered cacti, is defined separately from other mescaline-containing cacti under Colorado law. The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) Amendments of 1994 gives Native Americans the legal right to use peyote for their religious services.

FAQ’s posted by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

https://dpo.colorado.gov