In a recent city council meeting, officials discussed the implications of Colorado's Proposition 122, which decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms, now referred to as \"natural medicine.\" The council is considering how to regulate the cultivation, processing, and sale of these substances as the state prepares to issue licenses starting December 31, 2024.

The presentation outlined the regulatory framework established by Senate Bill 23-290, which allows municipalities to regulate the time, place, and manner of natural medicine businesses. However, cities cannot prohibit these businesses outright. The council is tasked with determining how to implement regulations before a public hearing scheduled for October 21, where recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission will be discussed.

Key points of regulation include establishing distance requirements from schools, childcare centers, and residential areas, with a proposed minimum of 1,000 feet. The council is also considering whether to extend this distance to 1,500 feet, as some members expressed concerns about the proximity of these businesses to residential neighborhoods.

The council is looking to other municipalities, such as Parker and Castle Rock, which have already adopted regulations. Parker's model includes strict distance requirements and operational guidelines, while Castle Rock has proposed similar measures, including restrictions on public visibility into businesses and operational hours.

Concerns were raised about the potential for underage access to natural medicine and the implications of on-site ingestion. The state requires licensed facilitators to oversee the ingestion process, and the council is exploring regulations to ensure that individuals do not leave the premises while still under the influence.

The council is also considering the possibility of personal cultivation of natural medicine, which is permitted under state law, with a limit of 12 by 12-foot plots. However, the specifics of how this will be regulated within the city remain to be determined.

As the council prepares for the upcoming public hearing, they are seeking community input on how to best approach the regulation of natural medicine businesses, balancing public safety with the new legal landscape established by state law.