Exactly How Legal Are Psychedelic Drugs in Colorado?

After leading the nation in legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana several years ago, Colorado has voted to keep up the trend of decriminalizing mind-altering substances that may be beneficial for individuals suffering from a variety of ailments by approving a measure to legalize certain psychedelic drugs.

However, despite the measure's passage, there are still some laws in effect with regard to what you can and can't do when it comes to psychedelics.

Colorado Psychedelic Laws: What's Legal?

Colorado voters passed Proposition 112 which, since 2023, has effectively decriminalized certain psychedelics.

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The measure has legalized the ability of adults aged 21+ to grow, possess, share, and consume five different types of psychedelic substances. These include psilocybin and psilocin, both of which are found in magic mushrooms, as well as dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, and mescaline.

Colorado Psychedelic Laws: What Remains Illegal?

While Proposition 112 changed a lot in the ways that the above psychedelic drugs are handled in Colorado, there are still plenty of restrictions in place.

As mentioned above, the measure only applies to adults 21 years of age or older. In addition, it remains illegal to sell these substances without going through the proper channels, and doing so can come with harsh consequences.

For example, selling up to 14 grams of these psychedelic drugs can come with a penalty of two to four years in prison and as much as a $500,000 fine. If the amount weighs out between 14 grams and 225 grams, the maximum penalty increases to an eight-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of $750,000. Finally, being busted selling over 225 grams of these psychedelic drugs can result in as many as 32 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines.

It should also be noted that the new laws only pertain to the five substances listed above and do not include manmade psychedelics like LSD.

[Colorado Springs Law Firm]