Post: Psychedelics pose grave new threat to Colorado kids

Psychedelic mushrooms being processed Psychedelic mushrooms being processed Psychedelic mushrooms being processed Psychedelic mushrooms being processed Take a moment to consider what the world looks like from the perspective of a Colorado teen today.

Not only have they grown up in an era of mass commercialization of marijuana, but they’ve seen it presented as medicine, complete with green crosses and doctors eager to provide medical marijuana cards to those 18 or older (think high school senior) for a small fee.

If marijuana is supported by physicians and marketed as medicine, it must be healthy, right? Yet, unlike a typical pill, this marijuana comes in sweet and fruity flavors that are appealing to young palates. It’s no wonder that a recent study showed a 1,375% increase over a five-year period of kids under 6 ingesting THC edibles.

Layered on top of this, Colorado teens on Jan. 1 will be exposed to risks from a new era of legal and commercialized psychedelics. Colorado has already decriminalized psychedelics; an adult can grow psilocybin in their home and “gift” it to others 21 years old and older.

This is a result of a ballot issue, Proposition 122, approved by Colorado voters in 2022 after proponents spent nearly $6 million on their one-sided campaign.

These commercialized products are overseen by Colorado’s new “Natural Medicine Division,” which is housed in the Department of Revenue. Imagine for a moment the marketing messages packed into that division’s name:

It’s “natural” a word that, to impressionable teens, may be synonymous with “healthy”.

It’s “medicine” — the official state agency says so. That word also implies good health.

So, even before the psychedelic industry makes its unsubstantiated and overblown claims of the therapeutic value of psychedelic mushrooms, teens have received the message that this supports good health.Oh, and the psychedelics are offered at “healing centers,” so that must be safe and healthy, right? Yet customers don’t have to have any specific diagnosis or condition to participate at a healing center. Wink, wink.Again, Colorado allows this “medicine” to come in candy forms that are appealing to kids who may intentionally or unintentionally ingest it. Imagine the risks and […]

Psychedelics pose grave new threat to Colorado kids