As Colorado becomes the second state to legalize psychedelic therapy, a significant clash is emerging in Colorado Springs. Conservative leaders are seeking to restrict psilocybin therapy against the objections of many veterans advocating for its benefits in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Residents voted to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, through a 2022 ballot measure. This decision initiated a two-year period of regulation, enabling the treatment of conditions like depression and PTSD. Companies can apply for licenses to administer this mind-altering drug, but actual treatment will not be available until the application process concludes, likely taking several months.

Joining Oregon, Colorado’s legalization has highlighted a growing backlash in conservative cities, many of which have sought to impose restrictions on “healing centers.” Recently, Colorado Springs city council was set to vote on extending the prohibition on these centers to a mile from sensitive locations like schools. Veterans passionately appealed to council members not to impose such restrictions.

“We have an opportunity to support veterans, and it’s a really easy one to say ‘Yes’ to,” stated Lane Belone, a special forces veteran advocating for psilocybin's therapeutic potential. He emphasized that limiting the number of healing centers would inevitably lead to longer waiting lists for treatment.

Interestingly, some veterans have garnered conservative support for psychedelic therapy, distinguishing it from other contentious drug policies. Councilmember David Leinweber explicitly labeled marijuana as a societal issue while endorsing broader access to psilocybin therapy.

While psilocybin is decriminalized, the drug remains significantly more regulated than marijuana, which Colorado legalized in 2014. Psilocybin treatment is required to be conducted in controlled environments with facilitated sessions under strict assessments. This treatment will strictly be limited to licensed facilities.

Colorado Springs is home to numerous military bases, which adds a complex dimension to the debate. Despite various council members being veterans themselves, they remain cautious about the regulation of psychedelic therapy. Council President Randy Helms expressed, “I will never sit up here and criticize a veteran for wanting to find a medical treatment to fix or to help with the issues that they carry.” However, he also noted the need for thorough testing of psilocybin therapy before it is widely utilized.

Research into psychedelic treatments for conditions such as alcoholism, depression, and PTSD is still in its early stages. Professor Jeffrey Lieberman from Columbia University cautioned that the scientific community needs to proceed carefully as there are potential risks involved, including the exacerbation of severe mental health conditions.

In Oregon, where therapeutic treatments began in June 2023, each session can reach costs of about $2,000. Out of more than 16,000 doses given, only five incidents required emergency medical intervention. However, the regulatory scrutiny continues in Colorado Springs, especially given that the FDA has yet to approve psilocybin treatments, raising concerns about therapies being offered before proper research validations are complete.

Advocates maintain that the urgency of the mental health crisis compels a reevaluation of the regulatory process. “This is a crisis that we are in, and this is a tool that we can add to our toolbox,” stated Taylor West, executive director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, emphasizing the importance of psilocybin therapy for those who struggle with traditional treatments.

As this contentious debate unfolds, veterans like Belone find the need for such treatments more pressing than ever, hoping for expanded access that may ultimately help countless individuals affected by the invisible wounds of war.

For further information, visit the HuffPost article.