Understanding Colorado’s Natural Medicine Rules—What Home Researchers Need to Know
Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act (Proposition 122, 2022) and its follow‑up bill SB 23‑290 opened historic doors for the study and therapeutic use of psilocybin—but they did not create a free‑for‑all grow scene. Below is a clear, plain‑English primer for Wonderbags customers who want to stay firmly on the right side of the law while conducting microscopy and taxonomic research at home.
1. Big‑Picture Overview
Prop 122 (passed Nov 2022) removed criminal penalties for adults (21 +) who possess or share certain natural psychedelics in personal amounts.
SB 23‑290 (signed June 2023) sets the framework for state‑licensed “healing centers,” outlines personal‑use limits, and keeps public consumption illegal.
The state is still drafting final agency rules—so extra caution and a research‑only stance protect you while the dust settles.
2. What You May Possess at Home
Natural mushroom material (fresh or dried): Up to 1 oz / 28 g if you are 21 + and keep it on private property.
Spore syringes or pre‑colonised substrate: Unrestricted so long as they are not cultivated for ingestion. This is the gap Wonderbags occupies.
Processed forms (powders, capsules): Up to the same 28 g dry‑weight equivalent.
Tip: Law enforcement looks first at intent. Lab notes, microscope photos, and sealed bags signal study; dehydrators, scales, and chocolate moulds suggest consumption.
3. What Remains Off‑Limits
Public or visible cultivation. All growth activity must stay out of public view—no patio greenhouses or Instagram timelapses of fruiting blocks.
Sales and gifting for ingestion. Only state‑licensed healing centers (expected late 2025) may distribute psilocybin for human consumption.
Exceeding personal‑use possession. Anything clearly above 28 g dried—or its fresh equivalent—moves you into trafficking territory.
Under‑21 involvement. Providing spores, mycelium, or finished mushrooms to minors remains a criminal offence.
4. Private‑Property Cultivation Clause—Read the Fine Print
SB 23‑290 does allow “personal cultivation” provided the material stays on property you own or lease, is secure from public view, and is not prepared for distribution. However, regulators and payment processors still treat colonised substrates as a grey area. Wonderbags therefore stresses research use only to avoid nudging customers into a partially defined legal space.
5. Best Practices for the Home Researcher
Document everything. Date‑stamped photos under the microscope and a simple lab notebook prove research intent.
Keep quantities small. One or two Wonderbags at a time support ample observation without approaching possession limits.
Seal and reseal. Limit bag openings to quick sampling sessions; reseal immediately to minimise accidental fruiting.
Store out of sight. A closet shelf with a labelled “Research Samples” tag keeps curious guests—and potential misunderstandings—at bay.
Dispose responsibly. Heat‑treat spent substrate, double‑bag, and trash; do not compost or gift to neighbours.
6. FAQ
Q: Can I legally eat mushrooms that fruit inside a Wonderbag?
A: No. The moment you intend to consume, you exit the research exemption and enter personal‑use law with possession limits and stricter scrutiny. Wonderbags voids any guarantee if material is ingested.
Q: Do I need a special licence to own pre‑colonised substrate?
A: At present, no licence is required for ownership or microscopy, but selling or gifting for ingestion without a state‑issued licence remains illegal.
Q: What if a friend wants to look through my microscope too?
A: Adult peers on private property are fine, but keep the material under your supervision and do not let samples leave the premises.
7. Key Dates to Watch
Late 2025: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) aims to issue the first healing‑center licences.
2026‑27: Expected rollout of state‑certified cultivation facilities—rules may tighten around unlicensed grow‑kits.
Bookmark the official rule‑making portal and revisit every quarter; early compliance beats last‑minute scrambles.
Final Reminder
Wonderbags are sold exclusively for microscopy and taxonomic observation. Following the guidelines above keeps your research legal, ethical, and future‑proof as Colorado finalises its psychedelic framework.