Colorado’s approval of the use of licensed natural medicine healing centers has prompted Denver to create a workforce to discuss its own regulations.
The licensed manufacturing and cultivation of natural medicine, namely the use of psilocybin or “magic” mushrooms, was approved by the Colorado legislature in 2023.
Prior to the legislation, the measure received the approval of voters in 2019 and 2022.
In response to the legislation, Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses is creating a natural medicine workgroup to review, discuss and suggest recommendations to the city’s natural medicine policy, according to a news release from the department.
The workgroup is expected to include representatives from various Denver government agencies. Additionally, the department seeks community members and stakeholders with natural medicine experience.
“We’re determined to follow a similar process in exploring regulations like Denver did when we became the first city in America with legalized recreational marijuana sales,” Molly Duplechian, executive director of the Department of Excise and Licenses, said in a statement.
Denver plans to hold four virtual meetings between March and June.
“We will use the Denver collaborative approach with many Denver government agencies working together with the community and various stakeholders to look at how we can protect public health and safety,” said Duplechian.