Colorado Psychedelics Update: State House of Representatives Passes Natural Medicine Health Act Implementation Bill SB23-290 with Amendments

By Joshua Kappel

May 1, 2023

 

SB23-290, the formal implementation bill for the Natural Medicine Health Act, passed Colorado’s House Finance Committee on April 27, 2023. SB23-290 passed the House Appropriations Committee and passed a second reading on the House Floor on April 28. On April 29, SB23-290 passed the House on the third reading with no amendments. It will head to the Senate for what is likely one final vote on concurring amendments.

The amendments passed in the Colorado House have generally brought this bill even closer to the original intent of Prop 122. Despite invoking the ghost of Timothy Leary, many amendments against natural medicines did not pass—including amendments related to insurance requirements, limiting personal use, and allowing local governments to prohibit regulated natural medicine services at a private residence.

We applaud Representative Amabile for staying true to the intent of Proposition 122 and carrying this important bill that will help bring access to natural psychedelic medicines to Colorado. This bill is not perfect, but it is a necessary step to bring safe access to natural psychedelic medicines to all in Colorado who may benefit. Read on to learn about the amendments passed.

House Finance Amendments

• L.018 – Adds in protections for using natural medicines for those on probation and parole, similar to medical cannabis.

• L.022 – Clarifies that record sealing cannot be denied based on intervening criminal events and clarifies the fees for sealing such records shall be waived.

• L.023 – Makes a variety of definitional clean-up amendments, adds in fingerprint-based background checks for employees of Healing Centers, and requires disclosure regarding the licensing status of those who are sharing natural medicine and receiving remuneration under the personal use provisions.

House Second Reading

• L.035 – Fixes a clerical error to allow for the cultivation of natural medicine outside of the dwelling (such as a greenhouse or garage) provided it’s still on private property and in an enclosed locked space.

• L.039 – Allows the state licensing authority to request information related to law enforcement interactions, adverse events, impacts to health care systems, consumer protection claims, and behavioral health impacts.

• L.041 – Requires the Natural Medicine Advisory Board to consult with new Federally Recognized tribes and Indigenous Working Group around defining social equity. Mandates that the Director consults with the Advisory Board on creating a social equity program. 

• L.043 – Clarifies the definition of Federally recognized tribes.

For more information on SB23-290, read "What You Need to Know About SB23-290, Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act Implementation Bill."

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