Committee advances natural-medicine bill to create up to five Ibogaine research pilots

Senator Ball introduced House Bill 13-25 to establish an Ibogaine research pilot and to make technical changes to Colorado's natural-medicine statute. The sponsor framed the pilot as a targeted, supervised program to study safety and effectiveness for treatment‑resistant conditions and urged committee support.

Erica Gannett, legislative affairs officer for the Behavioral Health Administration, told the committee BHA would act as a convener and partner for up to five pilot sites that intend to pursue federal authorization to conduct clinical research on Ibogaine. She said federal actions could accelerate research approval pathways and that states enacting research programs might be positioned to pursue substantial federal funding. "By passing this bill, Colorado will be well situated to pursue those funds," Gannett said.

Joshua Capel, an attorney and policy adviser for Colorado for Ibogaine, described the bill's two‑tier structure that prioritizes safety and research and said people already travel abroad for treatment. Sponsors and witnesses highlighted preliminary research and potential benefits for opioid use disorder and PTSD, while acknowledging clinical risks.

The committee adopted three technical amendments (L12, L13, L14) — described as department-requested clarifications, rulemaking authority and language clean-ups — without objection. After the amendments were adopted, the sponsor moved the bill to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation and the committee passed the motion.