Colorado made history in 2022 when it became one of the first states to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin—aka magic mushrooms. After years of waiting, the state’s regulated ‘shroom industry is finally starting to take shape. Last week, the state hit a major milestone by awarding the first legal mushroom licenses in the Centennial State.
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According to the Denver Post, several applications were recently approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division. So far, 20 “Owner & Handler” licenses have been given to people who plan to open businesses in the space or have “unrestricted access” to regulated psilocybin.
66 applications are currently pending with the state, including licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and healing centers. Individuals awarded Owner & Handler licenses still need to obtain licensure for their respective businesses prior to opening.
The Post spoke with some of the new license holders, which included a Marine Corps veteran who found relief from PTSD by microdosing. Troy Leonard is the CEO of Valor Minds, a psilocybin company whose mission is to help other vets overcome mental health challenges.
“Probably one of the greatest things I’ve done with my life besides fighting for the country,” Leonard said of joining the psychedelics industry.
Regulators hope to have the first psilocybin healing centers open by the spring. Patients interested in mushroom treatments must be over the age of 21 and visit an approved facilitator who will guide the experience. Mushroom dispensaries are not allowed, but a gray market has sprung up in Colorado thanks to the elimination of criminal penalties related to entheogens.
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Adults can possess and cultivate small amounts of psilocybin and share them with others. They can also offer paid “harm reduction” sessions but may not sell psychedelics. Thanks to vague terminology in state law, many non-licensed practitioners have seen a boom in demand for their so-called support services.
Jillian Gordon is another recent licensee. She told the Post she’s excited to emerge from the underground psychedelic space and set a higher bar for plant medicine.
“I’m looking forward to the level of accountability that is ahead… instead of doing the best we can with what we have, actually having a set of standards to follow. We can openly collaborate so the level of safety is higher and safe access is readily available for people,” Gordon concluded.
