House approves bill to authorize FDA‑approved synthetic psilocybin for medical use upon federal approval; debate raises safety and timing concerns

The Colorado House of Representatives on 2025-01-22 passed House Bill 1063 on second reading to make lawful the medical use of a crystalline synthetic psilocybin compound if and when it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and rescheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Representative Hartzuck, a co-sponsor, framed the bill as a narrow, preemptive measure that would allow access to a synthetic, FDA‑approved medication once federal regulators complete trials and rescheduling. "My purpose in this bill ... is so we don't have to wait and veterans and people that have not responded to other treatments have to wait for us to come back here and get the wheels moving," Hartzuck said. He stressed that the bill does not change state law on naturally derived psilocybin products enacted under Proposition 122 and that the measure applies only to a synthetic derivative going through FDA testing.

Representative Brown, the other sponsor on the floor, described the product as a conventional drug-development pathway: "The medication... is synthesized in a laboratory... then it goes through an FDA approval process," Brown said, emphasizing clinical trials and evidence-based evaluation.

Multiple members expressed concerns about the bill's timing and safety. Representative Graf said the sponsor was "betting on the roll of the dice" by adopting a trigger bill two to three years in advance and urged caution because the long-term risk profile is not yet known.

Representative Bottoms, who identified himself as a veteran and pastor who counsels veterans, raised safety questions and the lack of current controls in the state's telehealth environment. "There is a complete, psychotic break or psychotic meltdown in the range of about the 20 percentile with this," Bottoms said, arguing the state lacks oversight systems he said would be necessary if the drug becomes available. Bottoms also questioned whether financial motives could be driving an early trigger mechanism.

Other members urged balancing urgency for potential treatments against the need for safeguards. Representative Hartsook (another member who spoke in the debate) and Representative Brooks both acknowledged the potential benefits for treatment-resistant conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder but differed on whether the legislature should act now or wait for federal approval and implementation details.

After extended debate on safety, timing and safeguards — including questions about telehealth, control mechanisms and veteran patient protections — the presiding officer put the question and announced the ayes had it; House Bill 1063 passed on second reading. The committee of the whole recommended placing the bill on the calendar for third reading and final passage.