Natural Medicine

In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 (the Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022). This Act decriminalizes the possession, growing, use and sharing of five natural medicine substances:

• Psilocybin – The ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms that causes hallucinations or the effect of “tripping.”
• Psilocin – Also found in psychedelic mushrooms, causing hallucinations.
• Dimethyltryptamine – Also known as DMT – is a psychedelic compound found in a variety of plant and animal species.
• Ibogaine – A naturally occurring psychedelic in the Tabernanthe Iboga plant.
• Mescaline – The psychedelic found in the seeds of the Peyote Cactus. Peyote has not been decriminalized and remains illegal.

Selling natural medicines or other psychedelic substances outside licensed supervised use facilities remains illegal.

No. Driving under the influence of any impairing substance, such as alcohol, cannabis and psychedelics, remains illegal and can result in a DUI. Colorado Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) have received Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training and can recognize impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, psychedelics and other impairing substances.

Driving under the influence of natural medicines or any impairing substance is dangerous and illegal, and can lead to a DUI. Drivers should be aware that the consequences of driving high are similar to driving drunk and can include arrest, jail time, license suspension, fines and more. Make the smart choice and plan ahead for a sober ride.

It is never safe – and is illegal – to combine psychedelics and driving. Although the intensity of the effects may vary depending on what or how much was consumed, psychedelics can cause:

• Loss of attention.
• Impacts on executive function, such as reaction time or decision making.
• Auditory and visual hallucinations.
• Suddenly falling asleep.
• Lowered inhibition.
• Panic or paranoia.
• Disordered thinking.
• Seeing colors and hearing sounds that are not real.
• Mood changes.
• Loss of muscle control.
• Intensified sensory perception.
• Confusion.

These can all have a negative and dangerous effect on the skills necessary for safe driving. And remember, even if you are not actively hallucinating, these effects can still be present. Plan before you trip.

The effects of any psychedelic substance can be delayed and long-lasting, depending on the amount you consumed and if you combined them with another impairing substance. Additionally, psychedelics affect each person differently and impairment can last longer than expected.

Psilocybin can stay in your system for four to eight hours. Colorado toxicology experts state that the impairing effects of psychedelics can even last up to 24 hours.

It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after consuming psychedelics before you drive. Keep in mind that, even if your trip feels over, you can still experience impairing effects that can impact your driving. These include delirium, tiredness, loss of motor control, trip flashbacks and more.

If you want to consume magic mushrooms or another psychedelic, plan before you trip! It is recommended to have a “trip buddy” or “trip sitter” who is 100% sober while you are on your journey. This way, you won’t be tempted to drive under the influence and put yourself at risk of a DUI, crash or worse. Or, plan to use rideshare, such as Uber or Lyft, if you need to leave your house.

For more information and resources about legal psychedelics and natural medicine laws in Colorado, visit:

• The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division webpage.
• The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Natural Medicine Program webpage.
• Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety website, or 1-800-222-1222.
• Fireside Project website.
• BeforeYouTrip.org
• UnlimitedSciences.org