‘Healing Centers’ Promise to Be a Safe Way to ‘Fly’ When Consuming Psychedelic Mushrooms

It is unknown whether Colorado regulators even considered Joe Emerson. Emerson is the Alaska Airlines pilot who took psychedelic mushrooms, had a friend drive him to the airport and boarded a flight to San Francisco last October. But Emerson didn’t stop there. Once airborne, he went to the cockpit to pull the levers to shut down the engines, an action that could have claimed the lives of all 83 on board.

Still, regulators at Colorado’s Department of Revenue have finalized regulations surrounding so-called psychedelic therapy, set to begin in 2025. Colorado will join Oregon in legalization after voters approve it in 2022.

The new regulations establish the psychedelics industry in Colorado by growing mushrooms, operating a therapy center or producing psilocybin edibles, now with guidelines on how to do all of the above legally.

Licensing processes for psilocybin mushroom growers, manufacturers and drug testing laboratories are included, as well as so-called ‘healing centers’ where psychedelic therapy will take place.

Depression and end-of-life issues are among the treatments promised.

The rules, among other things, define permitted and prohibited actions at each of the companies, provide strict guidelines for waste disposal, define drug dosages and product labeling requirements, and establish penalties for individuals found violating the law.

Another entity, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, has established rules for those who monitor individuals under the influence of a psychedelic experience. It is unclear what happens if someone tries something like shooting down a plane while on psychedelic mushrooms.

Emerson, who was restrained by Alaska’s crew, was faced with 83 counts of attempted murder at the scene, but prosecutors dropped the charges. Instead, they go with 83 charges of reckless endangerment. It remains to be seen whether there will be a settlement or trial later this year.

When all this happened, it is believed that Emerson was suffering from hallucinogen-persistent perception disorder, which is caused by someone taking psychedelic mushrooms.

The bottom line is that in Colorado it is now legal for people 21 and older to possess, share and use magic mushrooms, including psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine and non-peyote mescaline.

People aged 21 and over are also allowed to grow psychedelic mushrooms in a private home, as long as people under 21 are kept away.

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