Robert F. Kennedy is the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, has confirmed that he is “aware” about the launch of legal services for psilocybin in his state and will continue to “outspokenly advocate” psychedelic therapy at the federal government level.
Ean Seb, Polis’s advisor for cannabis and natural medicines, said at a Wednesday psychedelics listen session that involved multiple agencies in the state, officials were also having conversations with international authorities about adding regulated access of ibogaine to Colorado’s program.
Seeb confirmed that the governor, his staff and other officials have met with federal agencies to discuss psychedelics policies.
He said that the interactions so far had been positive and beneficial. Secretary Kennedy recently told the Governor that he is aware of our program and will continue to be outspoken about advancing psychedelic therapy.
Kennedy said separately in June that he is “absolutely” committed to expanding research into the benefits of psychoedelic therapy, and aims to give legal access to these substances to military veterans within “12 months.”
Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has talked about an “eye opening” conversation he had with Kennedy on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic drugs.
In addition, because Colorado has only a short history of using plant-based drugs such as ibogaine and is just beginning to implement its voter-approved law, the Polis employee noted that the state had worked hard to study other countries who have more experience in this area, including Gabon.
“We wish to be respectful—to work towards a common understanding regarding sourcing and education,” Seeb said, adding that Colorado is “poised to have the largest data set in the history of the world for regulated use.”
It’s no easy feat, especially in these times of tight budgets. We’re thankful to the General Assembly for passing a bill…that will permit us to collect this information and not just on the adverse related events, but also potential benefits that are associated with the use of psilocybin and psilocin—and just those two for now, with more to come.”
Polis also thanked philanthropists for “recognizing the value of the work and being ready to provide the necessary resources.” These first dollars should be available “very, very shortly” so that the Department of Public Health can begin collecting data.
There’s still a lot of work to be done. Seeb stated that we want to accomplish as much as possible during this administration.
He said, “I will just add that Colorado has been and continues to be at the forefront in both policy and research for natural medicine.” “We are working hard to position Colorado to best take advantage of natural medicines and psychedelics’ healing effects.”
We continue to be excited by the possible and the potential of the use psychedelics in relation to addiction and mental health. Colorado is investing more in its mental and behavioral health care systems, and the governor of Colorado feels proud. “At the same time we are exploring in our regulatory programs the possible healing that psychedelics could provide.”
Polis not only implemented a new regulatory framework for psychedelics but also granted a pardon to people who had been convicted for crimes related to psilocybin, now that it is legal.
Seeb stated that “if we think you may have had a qualifying criminal conviction, then you should apply” if your name is not on the state’s website.
It’s not always the case that a possession of controlled substance and a conviction is for psilocybin. So we sometimes have to go into individual records. “Any information you can provide will help us determine eligibility,” said he. “So we do encourage you to apply if you are qualified.”
The listening session came about two months after the first psilocybin sessions took place in state-licensed “healing centers” under Colorado’s voter-approved psychedelics legalization law.
In May, Polis touted the fact that Colorado’s legal psychedelics program is “fully launched” now that regulators have issued licenses for each part of the psilocybin supply chain.
The governor’s psilocybin clemency move, meanwhile, came several years after Polis issued mass pardons for people with prior marijuana convictions.
Earlier this session, the governor signed into law a bill that would allow a form of psilocybin to be prescribed as a medication if the federal government authorizes its use.
Colorado had already approved a ballot measure that legalized the use of psilocybin for adults aged 21 or older. However, the recently enacted reform makes it possible to obtain drugs synthesized with an isolated form of psilocybin.
Separately in Colorado, a bill that would have limited THC in marijuana and outlawed a variety of psilocybin products died following the lead sponsor’s move to withdraw the legislation.