Psychedelic centers create a danger to kids and exacerbate Colorado’s mental health crisis

Now that the state of Colorado has issued its first license for the operation of a “natural medicine business,” the public must not be misled into believing that psychedelic drugs are safe or effective. These drugs — and the for-profit businesses that sell them — threaten to harm children and exacerbate Colorado’s mental health crisis.

Despite the issuance of the state license, these substances remain illegal at the federal level. This is similar to how marijuana is illegal at the federal level even though its growth and sale are tolerated at the state level. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical benefit. Notably, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved psilocybin for the treatment of any condition.

While psychedelic facilitators may be operating within a state-licensed facility, it is important to remember that they are not qualified medical professionals. If a veteran with PTSD wants to receive evidence-based treatment, they can meet with a licensed clinical psychologist who has a bachelor’s degree, a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D.), and experience as a postdoc. In comparison, Colorado Newsline reported that “anyone 21 or older who has a high school diploma or equivalent and has met the state’s training requirements can become a psilocybin facilitator.”

Not surprisingly, a for-profit industry has emerged to train individuals to act as psilocybin facilitators, costing between $7,000 to $11,000. Compared to the years of education and training for medical professionals, psychedelic facilitators only need “150 hours of coursework, 40 hours of supervised practicum, and 50 hours of consultation across six months while the student provides natural medicine facilitation under a training license.”

This industry is focused on profits, not public health. A single session at The Center Origin, the Denver-based center that received the first state license, is expected to cost $3,500. This has concerning implications for health equity, given that those with the most severe mental health issues would likely be the least able to afford this potential treatment. It will also contribute to growth in the illicit market, which can vastly undercut these prices, as seen in Oregon.

Vulnerable patients may end up paying thousands of dollars for an unapproved treatment that ultimately worsens their condition. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warned that “people who take psilocybin may also feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and may have physical side effects such as increased heart rate or nausea.” Many will experience a bad trip.

Policymakers must take steps to protect consumers from the potential harms of this substance. Similar to how the state implemented prevention campaigns for marijuana and tobacco, it should roll out a campaign about psilocybin, which discourages use and educates people about risks.

Colorado’s policy has misled people into believing that psychedelics are safe and effective. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that Oregon and Colorado are the two states with the highest rates of hallucinogen use — and their rates are nearly double the national average. What sets these two states apart? They are the only two that legalized psychedelics.

Despite supposed age limits for adults within these licensed facilities, these policy reforms are already having consequences for our kids. Which are the two states with the highest rates of hallucinogen use among 12–17-year-olds? Oregon and Colorado, again. Having led the fight against Proposition 122 in 2022 and seen the same trend play out with marijuana, I predicted that this industry-ballot measure would fail to protect our kids.

While there will soon be a flurry of pro-psychedelics articles across the Centennial State, readers — and potential consumers — must know that these substances are not real medicines. And they will not be provided by real medical professionals. Far from promoting public health, the new state-licensed psilocybin centers may exacerbate the mental health crisis.