Colorado Healing Centers
What is a healing center?
In Colorado, Healing Centers are licensed facilities under the Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022. These centers provide a safe environment for administering regulated natural medicines, such as psilocybin, under licensed supervision. They represent a legally recognized setting designed for psychedelic therapies.
Colorado is among the first states, alongside Oregon, to legalize adult access to psilocybin care through supervised sessions, ensuring safety, accountability, and accessibility.
Types of Healing Centers
Healing Centers are classified into two main types:
Micro Healing Centers: Limited to storing up to 750 mg of total psilocin.
Standard Healing Centers: No storage limit.
Additionally, eligible clients (such as those in hospice or receiving palliative care) may receive sessions at home or healthcare facilities under specific guidelines.
Facilitator Licenses
Colorado offers various facilitator licenses tailored to different roles:
Facilitator License: For non-clinical providers, requiring 150 hours of training, practicum, supervised consultation, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Clinical Facilitator License: For licensed medical or behavioral health professionals, allowing psychedelic services within their existing scope of practice.
Distinguished Educator License: For experienced facilitators invited to teach, limited strictly to educational settings.
Training License: Allows trainees to practice under supervision during a 50-hour consultation period.
Facilitators must renew licenses biennially, comply with rigorous safety protocols, and maintain comprehensive records.
Lawyers are indispensable partners for Healing Centers in Colorado, offering essential guidance across a spectrum of legal and regulatory matters. We specialize in ensuring compliance with the Natural Medicine Health Act and other relevant state statutes, providing clarity on licensing requirements and operational standards. This expertise extends to navigating complex application processes, meticulously preparing documentation, and advocating for clients during regulatory interactions. By interpreting and applying legal frameworks, we help existing or future Healing Centers maintain lawful operations while staying updated on evolving regulations.
Additionally, lawyers (like us!) play a crucial role in risk management, identifying potential liabilities and crafting protective legal measures. We draft critical documents such as informed consent forms, intake procedures, and emergency response plans, tailored to you, and meet legal standards and mitigate operational risks. Ethically, lawyers guide Healing Centers in developing internal policies that uphold professional standards and respect cultural sensitivities, particularly in integrating Indigenous healing practices.
Beyond compliance and risk mitigation, we can provide ongoing support by advising on business structuring, insurance coverage, and advocacy efforts. We can serve as advocates in stakeholder engagements, public comment processes, and interactions with regulatory bodies, ensuring Healing Centers are well-represented and compliant as regulatory landscapes evolve. Ultimately, we are here to empower you and your Healing Center in navigating legal complexities, fostering ethical practices, and sustaining operational excellence in psychedelic therapy and natural medicine.
What Can a Lawyer Do?
Sample Questions to Ask a Lawyer
What licenses do I need specifically to become a facilitator, operate a Healing Center, or both? And how do I apply?
What storage, security, and transportation regulations must I adhere to for psilocybin products?
How do I ensure compliance with state-mandated potency labeling and testing requirements?
What specific requirements exist for the physical location of my Healing Center (zoning, proximity restrictions, facility security)?
Can my existing wellness or therapy space become licensed as a Healing Center, and what modifications might I need to make?
What are the legal implications of hiring independent contractors versus employees as facilitators?
What liability considerations should I be aware of regarding facilitator malpractice or misconduct?
What informed consent, intake, and screening processes must I legally provide?
How do I draft appropriate safety and emergency response protocols?
How do I structure liability waivers to minimize legal risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy?
How can my center ethically integrate Indigenous or traditional healing practices without legal or cultural risks?
Should I form my Healing Center as an LLC, Corporation, or Non-Profit, and what are the tax and liability implications?
How do I ensure my center remains compliant as regulations evolve or new legal issues arise?