Colorado holds final hearing on psychedelic mushroom rules

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is getting ready to kick off its next big venture in natural medicine. Before the state begins the licensing process for psilocybin — or so-called “magic mushrooms” — they are holding a final hearing on the rulemaking process.

People from across Colorado weighed in with various thoughts on the state’s rules surrounding magic mushrooms, but several people came to the hearing to urge the state to change how the items may be offered so children cannot get them.

Alton Dillard is a spokesman for One Chance to Grow Up, a group dedicated to keeping young children safe from the use of marijuana. As the state gets ready to take on psilocybin, the group is worried Colorado is going about it wrong.

“Anything that appears in soft confection or chocolate form could be appealing to kids,” Dillard said. “Our thing is — fine, if people believe it has medicinal purposes, we’re not here to debate that. But if so, have it in medical form, have it in capsule form. Then if you need it to have a good flavor, chase it with a Kit Kat or something. But having it available in gummy form or having it available in chocolate form we just think is going to be risky for protecting our kids.”

The group does not want the state to go down the path cannabis did with edible products, saying the items are too easy for kids to access. Unlike cannabis, psilocybin facilitators would supervise the use of the medicine at healing centers.

How might psilocybin be available in Colorado?

Employees of the Division of Natural Medicine inside the Colorado Department of Revenue said the state was initially only considering dried products like teas and dried mushrooms, as extracting to create products using concentrates adds a layer of complexity to the state’s regulation. Under the final draft rules , they are considering allowing manufacturers to apply for an extraction endorsement to make items like gummies and chocolates, saying they also did not want to be too restrictive on medicinal options.

Advocates of natural medicine urged the state to follow the practices of ancient medicine.

“I’d like to give you a perspective from an Indigenous,” said Dana Tsyconyea StarByrd of Soulma Wellness, testifying during Thursday’s hearing. “Cacao, which is the traditional name for chocolate, is considered a teacher plant and a spirit guide. The name of the cacao tree is Theobroma cacao. And so I’m suggesting, then, instead of using the word chocolate, we use the word cacao. Most children don’t know what cacao is.”

A lengthy discussion on packaging, avoiding the use of cartoons and making sure items are properly labeled with what’s inside took place during the hearing. The licensing process for psilocybin is set to begin early next year.

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