As Colorado Legalizes Medicinal Psilocybin, the Importance of Educating Voters Becomes Clear

Colorado said yes to hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, concern remains on whether or not the Colorado population is properly informed about the potentially harmful side effects of the newly legalized, mind-altering substance.

The November 2022 midterm elections saw many interesting developments, one of which came out of Colorado. The Centennial State became the next state to join the ranks of U.S. states and cities to legalize psilocybin for medicinal and personal use.

How the Votes Turned Out

On November 8th, 2022, Colorado voters voted to approve Colorado Proposition 122. Prop 122 was titled “The Decriminalization, Regulated Distribution, and Therapy Program for Certain Hallucinogenic Plants and Fungi Initiative.” According to the ballot proposal, a “Yes” vote for the proposal supported “…decriminalizing the personal use, possession, growth, and transport of natural medicines for persons 21 years old and older; and creating the Regulated Natural Medicine Access Program for licensed healing centers to administer natural medicine services.” Coloradans voted to approve the proposal by a seven-point margin, with 53% in favor of it and 46% against it.¹

What this Result Means for Colorado

The federal government has not decriminalized psilocybin due to the known, harmful side effects of the hallucinogen. However, Colorado proponents for the drug sought to move ahead of ongoing federal studies and research into the drug, essentially “jumping the gun” in legalizing the substance.

In so doing, Colorado follows Oregon (which approved the drug in 2020) and more than a dozen U.S. cities, including Washington D.C. Proponents of the drug say it may have potential as a treatment for a host of mental health conditions. However, clinical trials have yet to show these potential “benefits” outweigh the known harmful side effects.

Despite this discrepancy, an additional 19 states, including Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas, have introduced bills to legalize psilocybin possession. More than a dozen states, including Florida, have commissioned clinical trials to study the drug. Hawaii’s State Senate has approved a task force to create a health system in which the drug is available for monitored treatments of adults with mental health crises. Connecticut has also created a similar program focusing on treating veterans and retired first responders with the drug. Even Oklahoma, a state that has not legalized recreational cannabis, is considering a bill that would authorize clinical trials of psilocybin.²

But should states be moving to legalize a drug with known harmful effects, one that is still illegal on the federal level?

What Is Psilocybin, Anyway?

Psilocybin is a mind-altering substance extracted from certain mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. People use the drug in varying ways. Psilocybin can either be dried or used fresh, and it can be eaten raw, mixed with food, or brewed into tea. Typically, the drug produces similar effects to LSD, though results vary significantly depending on how it is used and if it is used under supervision. When people use too much of the drug (and it is almost impossible to determine what is an “appropriate” dosage), they run the risk of adverse side effects.³

Does Psilocybin Have Potentially Harmful Effects?

The short answer? Yes.

The primary criticism of pro-legalization efforts regarding psilocybin is that, at this time, there is conflicting information and inconclusive evidence on whether or not the drugs are even beneficial. Interested parties must remember that the federal government and FDA have not completed their research into psilocybin, and the drug remains illegal on the federal level.

“I’m hoping the rest of the country can learn the hard lessons from my state’s foray. As the years go on and we learn more about this experiment, hopefully we’ll say we’re going to let the FDA and scientists lead medicine, not corporations.”

There is also a profit incentive behind psilocybin legalization that has led some critics to say that legalization efforts are partially being pushed by corporations that want to sell the drugs, not by people who genuinely think the drugs are beneficial. Quoting Colorado’s Luke Niforatos, who leads two national organizations that opposed the measure, “I’m hoping the rest of the country can learn the hard lessons from my state’s foray. As the years go on and we learn more about this experiment, hopefully we’ll say we’re going to let the FDA and scientists lead medicine, not corporations.” It would be wise for other states to hold off on voting on substances until all data on the alleged benefits and apparent harms become available.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has published a list of concerning side effects connected to psilocybin use. These are:

• Paranoia
• Nervousness
• Panic reactions

NIDA has also expressed concern that “Misidentification of poisonous mushrooms resembling psilocybin could lead to unintentional, potentially fatal poisoning.” ⁴

“Misidentification of poisonous mushrooms resembling psilocybin could lead to unintentional, potentially fatal poisoning.”

Another report from NIDA identified more specific harm that could result from psilocybin use. Quoting that report, “The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. Long-term effects such as flashbacks, risk of psychiatric illness, impaired memory, and tolerance have been described in case reports.” Especially when used in high dosages, there are legitimate, serious, harmful side effects that could result from consuming psilocybin.⁵

Voters Must be Informed of the Potentially Harmful Effects of Drugs Before Voting on Them

The American people should have a say in what substances are legal and which are not. However, given the potentially harmful side effects of mind-altering drugs, advocates for psilocybin legalization are doing voters a disservice when they don’t educate voters. As more states consider legalizing the substance, advocates for legalization should be honest with voters regarding what is and isn’t known about the substance.

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