Colorado is en route to become the second state to decriminalise and regulate certain psychedelic mushroom use for those 21 and older. If passed, it would be put into place toward the end of 2024.

The ballot initiative would create "healing centres" regulated by the state where supervised use of the hallucinogenic chemicals found in mushrooms like psilocybin and psilocin can take place. It would also allow for private personal use of the substances. Colorado residents could grow, use, and share the substances but not sell them. Additionally, people who have been convicted of psychedelic related offences would have their criminal records sealed.

The initiative would also allow for the addition of other plant-based psychedelic drugs to the programme after June 1st 2026, like DMT, ibogaine and mescaline (not derived from peyote).

Naturally occurring psychedelics have been used for hundreds of years and can treat depression, PTSD, anxiety, addiction and other conditions. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated psilocybin a "breakthrough therapy" in treating major depressive disorder in 2018. However, the FDA has not yet approved the substances as medicine.

"When I'm on psychedelics, for example like mushrooms or psilocybin, it opens my eyes to the beauty of the world, the love that I have for the world. ... All of that anger, or being upset or frustrated ... it dissolves. It melts away," said Jason Lopez, a military veteran who uses the substances to treat his PTSD.

Critics worry that legalising the substances would lead to addiction and "psychos running around the street," reported by PBS. However, Colorado legalised recreational marijuana a decade ago and "it didn't happen with marijuana and it's not going to happen with hallucinogens," tourism industry worker Laura Owsly said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 80% of the votes are in as the state leans to yes, but only by a 2% lead. The decision has yet to be finalised.