Colorado Gov. Plans to Issue Pardons for Psychedelic Drug Convictions

During remarks at the Psychedelic Conference in Denver, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he plans to issue pardons for all criminal convictions in the state related to psychedelic drugs, Axios reports. Polis last month signed a bill to implement medical psilocybin legalization and decriminalize the personal use and cultivation of other natural psychedelics following a successful psychedelics decriminalization voter initiative in the state last year. 

During his remarks, Polis also indicated that he wants insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, to be required to cover the cost of psychedelic therapies. 

“It is still ridiculous that in this day and age somebody suffering from anxiety, depression, [post-traumatic stress disorder] can get medical coverage for very costly prescription drugs but cannot get coverage for a treatment in a healing center that will address some of the underlying causes of the issue.” — Polis, in remarks during the Psychedelic Conference, via Axios 

Polis said the pardons would prevent individuals from being held back from employment opportunities. In 2021, Polis issued 1,351 pardons for Coloradans convicted of cannabis possession. 

The ballot measure approved by voters decriminalized the possession, cultivation and sharing of psychedelics and hallucinogens, such as psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT, for those 21 and older. Polis has called the reforms a “thoughtful, common sense approach.”