Arapahoe County commissioners have unanimously approved a comprehensive set of regulations governing psilocybin businesses as Colorado prepares to begin licensing these operations in January 2025.
The decision follows the voter-approved Proposition 122, which decriminalized the use, possession, and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms, making Colorado the second state to take such a step.
Under Proposition 122, individuals aged 21 and older can legally use certain plants and fungi for personal and therapeutic purposes. Unlike marijuana legalization under Amendment 64, which allowed local jurisdictions to ban retail marijuana businesses, Proposition 122 prohibits local governments from banning natural medicine businesses. However, counties like Arapahoe retain the authority to regulate these businesses’ time, manner, and location within the bounds of state law.
The newly adopted regulations amend the county’s Land Development Code to specify where these businesses can operate. Licensed psilocybin service centers are permitted in areas zoned for office use, while other natural medicine businesses are allowed in most commercial and industrial zones. To safeguard public spaces, these facilities must maintain a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from schools, daycare centers, and other educational institutions.
In-home cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms will also be regulated, with plots limited to the state maximum of 12 feet by 12 feet. However, the county opted not to impose restrictions on the operating hours of these businesses.
Commissioner Jessica Campbell expressed pride in the county’s proactive approach, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Campbell highlighted its potential to deliver lasting relief through a single therapeutic session, offering an alternative to more harmful coping mechanisms.
“We think about psilocybin or ‘shrooms as ‘magic mushrooms’ and the Grateful Dead, and that’s all well and good,” Campbell said. “But the therapeutic properties of this medicine… can actually heal or address PTSD for the effects of an entire year.”
Concerns about children accessing psilocybin were raised during public discussions, but Campbell downplayed the risk, pointing out that households often contain more dangerous items such as alcohol or firearms.
Commissioner Bill Holen also voiced support, noting the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs has long utilized psilocybin therapy for veterans with PTSD, describing the results as “very, very helpful.”
Despite the enthusiasm, critics remain skeptical. Luke Niforatos of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions cited potential risks, including psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, a condition involving recurring visual disturbances.
The regulations will take effect in January, aligning with the state’s rollout of psilocybin business licenses. This framework positions Arapahoe County as a leader in implementing responsible oversight for Colorado’s emerging natural medicine industry.
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