Whether Colorado regulators even thought about Joe Emerson isn’t known. Emerson is the Alaska Airlines pilot who took psychedelic mushrooms, had a friend drive him to the airport, and took a jump seat on a flight to San Francisco last October. But Emerson did not stop there.
When airborne, he moved into the cockpit to pull levers to shut down the engines, a move that could have taken the lives of all 83 on board. Nevertheless, regulators from Colorado’s Department of Revenue have finalized the regulations surrounding so-called psychedelic-assistant therapy to begin in 2025. Colorado is joining Oregon in the legalization after voters approved it in 2022.
The new regulations establish Colorado’s psychedelics industry by growing mushrooms, operating a therapy center, or manufacturing psilocybin edibles now with guidance on how to do all of the above legally. Licensing processes for psilocybin mushroom growers, manufacturers, and drug testing labs are included, as well as so-called “healing centers” where psychedelic-assisted therapy will take place. Depression and end-of-life distress are among the promised treatments.
The rules spell out permitted and prohibited actions at each of the businesses, offer strict guidance on waste disposal, define drug serving sizes and product labeling requirements, and set penalties for individuals caught breaking the laws, among other things. Another unit, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, did set out regulations for peop.