Back when Colorado legalized recreational weed for the general public in 2012, the City of Denver toke advantage of local wisdom on how to regulate a once-illegal substance. Now, Denver's at it again -- this time to figure out how to do 'shrooms safely.
"We're determined to follow a similar process in exploring regulations like Denver did when we became the first city in America with legalized recreational marijuana sales," said Molly Duplechian, executive director of the Department of Excise and Licenses, in a statement.
The move comes after a 2019 local initiative and a 2022 state initiative that both addressed natural medicine. In 2023, the Colorado legislature allowed municipalities and counties to license natural medicine healing centers and manufacturing and testing facilities.
But local government doesn't want to just wave a magic wand and make mushroom policy out of the ether. The city wants the community to be involved.
So naturally (if not medicinally), the city is putting together the new rules with what some might describe as the worst kind of trip -- a committee.
Do you know 'shrooms well? How about public health and safety? Maybe youth advocacy, social justice or Indigenous communities? If so, the city wants you to join its working group.
Department of Excise and Licenses -- the folks who regulate everything from landlords to liquor -- are putting together a group to work with members of local government and stakeholders to research, debate and craft recommendations for policy.
The committee's first task will be to review the Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Panel's report, giving everybody a shared language and knowledge base. Ultimately, the committee may recommend changes to the ordinance that Excise and License would take to City Council.
There will be four virtual meetings held between March and June.
If you want to apply, you have 'til 5 p.m. on March 13. Do so here.
