Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA) Flashcards PDF

**General Overview** **Q:** What is Proposition 122 in Colorado?\ **A:** Proposition 122, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA), was approved by Colorado voters in 2022. It decriminalizes the personal use of certain natural medicines and establishes a regulatory framework for their u...

**General Overview** **Q:** What is Proposition 122 in Colorado?\ **A:** Proposition 122, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA), was approved by Colorado voters in 2022. It decriminalizes the personal use of certain natural medicines and establishes a regulatory framework for their use. **Q:** When was SB23-290 signed into law, and when did it go into effect?\ **A:** SB23-290 was signed into law on May 23, 2023, and it replaced Proposition 122 starting July 1, 2023. **Personal Use and Decriminalization** **Q:** What substances are decriminalized under the NMHA?\ **A:** Psilocybin, psilocin, ibogaine, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline (excluding peyote) are decriminalized. **Q:** What does "personal use" mean under SB23-290?\ **A:** Personal use includes consumption, possession, cultivation, and sharing of natural medicines for activities like counseling, spiritual guidance, community-based healing, or supported use. **Q:** What conduct remains criminal under SB23-290?\ **A:** Possession, use, or sharing of natural medicine in contexts not permitted by the Act, such as business promotions or commercial activities. **Q:** Can natural medicines be shared for free?\ **A:** Yes, sharing is allowed as long as there is no commercial exchange or business promotion involved. **Regulatory Framework** **Q:** What regulatory framework was created by SB23-290?\ **A:** It established oversight by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Department of Revenue (DOR) for a regulated market of natural medicines. **Q:** What is a "facilitator" in the context of SB23-290?\ **A:** A facilitator is a licensed professional responsible for providing preparation, administration, and integration services for natural medicine at healing centers. **Q:** What are "natural medicine services"?\ **A:** Services include preparation sessions, administration under supervision at a healing center, and integration sessions. **Q:** When will DORA begin reviewing facilitator applications?\ **A:** Facilitator license applications will be reviewed starting December 31, 2024. **Natural Medicine Advisory Board** **Q:** What is the Natural Medicine Advisory Board?\ **A:** A 15-member board within DORA that makes recommendations on implementing the NMHA's regulatory framework. **Q:** What areas of expertise are represented on the Advisory Board?\ **A:** The board includes experts in natural medicine therapy, mycology, public health, behavioral health, traditional Indigenous use, and more. **Tribal and Indigenous Working Group** **Q:** What is the purpose of the Tribal and Indigenous Working Group?\ **A:** To address issues related to the commercialization of natural medicines, including avoiding exploitation of Indigenous cultures and ensuring conservation. **Department of Revenue (DOR) Role** **Q:** What responsibilities does the DOR have under SB23-290?\ **A:** The DOR regulates cultivation, manufacture, testing, and distribution of natural medicines and products, and issues licenses for each stage of the supply chain. **Q:** Which substances are initially regulated by the DOR?\ **A:** Initially, psilocybin and psilocin, with ibogaine, DMT, and mescaline (excluding peyote) eligible for future consideration. **Local Jurisdiction and Implementation** **Q:** Can local governments prohibit natural medicine services?\ **A:** No, local governments may regulate time, place, and manner but cannot prohibit services or impose unreasonable restrictions. **Q:** Are there restrictions on advertising for natural medicine services?\ **A:** Yes, advertisements must avoid cultural exploitation or misrepresentation of tribal and Indigenous communities. **Miscellaneous** **Q:** Are synthetic analogs of natural medicines included under SB23-290?\ **A:** No, synthetic and synthetic analogs, even those derived from natural sources, are excluded. **Q:** How does SB23-290 promote public education?\ **A:** The DOR develops campaigns to educate the public on the use of natural medicines and monitors consumer safety. **Q:** What role does the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment play?\ **A:** It collaborates with the DOR to create testing standards, laboratory certifications, and ensure the safety of natural medicine products.