Colorado Governor Wants Pardons for Psychedelic Convictions

Colorado’s governor wants to go further after the state’s landmark new law legalizing psychedelic drugs.

Democrat Jared Polis, who was elected to a second term as state governor last year, said Wednesday he wants the Colorado legislature to grant amnesty to individuals arrested for psychedelic-related offenses such as psilocybin mushrooms. Stated. .

“So anyone with a criminal record that is currently legal can have it expunged and it won’t hinder future employment opportunities,” Polis said at a psychedelic event in Denver this week.・Presented at the Science Conference. As quoted by Axios.

“In this day and age, people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD can get medical insurance for very expensive prescription drugs, but treatment in healing centers that addresses some of the root causes of their problems. It’s still ridiculous not to be able to get insurance for .”

Mr. Polis’ comments came less than a month after he signed a bill establishing a regulatory framework for psychedelics. The bill is a byproduct of Proposition 122, an initiative passed by voters last year, and is set to officially go into effect on July 1.

The measure “legalized therapeutic psilocybin and decriminalized the personal cultivation, use and sharing of psilocybin mushrooms and three other natural psychedelics (DMT, ibogaine and mescaline not derived from peyote).” according to Go to the local outlet Westworld.

“Although licensed psilocybin therapy centers could open by the end of 2024, Bill 122 does not allow the establishment of retail businesses, only healing centers, so Colorado is currently in There won’t be mushroom shops like the hundreds of cannabis dispensaries.” Westworld reported last month.

Westworld, Report of the week At the Psychedelic Science Conference, Polis pointed out: [who] “Although I never publicly supported Proposition 122, I have admired it since it passed, telling crowds that I have ‘no personal connection’ to psychedelic medicine,” he said, referring to psychedelic use. advocacy is “value-based” and concerned with “bodily autonomy”.

“We are facing a very difficult challenge in mental and behavioral health and we are very excited about the opportunity,” Polis said. As quoted by Westworld. “Many of these areas, including cannabis, were led by the people, not the politicians.”

At the conference, the governor said he envisions a significant expansion of the state’s psychedelic laws, including amendments to make psychedelic therapy reimbursable in Colorado.

“Yes, yes. People don’t have to go to Mexico or Colombia anymore. They can be right here in Colorado,” Police said. As quoted by Westworld.

“If the federal government decides to schedule it as a drug, it will be rescheduled in Colorado immediately,” the governor added. “We want people to say … Colorado got it right. “

Part of the initiative went into effect last December, after a majority of Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in November.

“Coloradoans voted last November and joined our democracy,” Polis said at the time. “Formally verifying the results of our nominated initiatives with citizens is the next formal step in our effort to follow the will of voters and implement these voter-approved measures.”

About 53% of Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in last year’s election.

Psychedelics were officially decriminalized in Colorado after the Police sanctioned the measure in December.