Gov. Polis Clears the Path: Psilocybin Pardons & the Rise of DIY Mushroom Cultivation

From Marijuana Pardons to Psilocybin Justice

Governor Jared Polis has long championed drug policy reform. In 2020, he issued mass pardons for nearly 2,732 Coloradans convicted of possessing up to one ounce of marijuana; in 2021, he pardoned an additional 1,351 convictions after legal limits increased to two ounces reddit.com+13colorado.gov+13cbsnews.com+13. These moves helped clear criminal records and expand access to employment, housing, and loans.

At the June 2023 Psychedelic Science Conference in Denver, Polis doubled down—calling on the legislature to give him the same authority to pardon nonviolent psilocybin and other psychedelic possession convictions cbsnews.comgreenpharms.com+2axios.com+2marijuanamoment.net+2. He argued that if something is now legal and regulated, convictions for it should be follow suit.

A Track Record of Advocacy

Polis said at the conference: “so anybody who has something on their criminal record that is now legal can have that expunged and doesn't hold them back from future employment opportunities” greenpharms.com+2axios.com+2marijuanamoment.net+2. He also expressed concern about access: patients suffering from PTSD, depression, and anxiety deserve coverage for psychedelic-assisted therapy—and pardons are the first step.

This aligns with Colorado's 2022 ballot initiative (Prop. 122) that decriminalized substances like psilocybin, ibogaine, and DMT for adults 21+ cbsnews.com+14axios.com+14marijuanamoment.net+14.

Legislative Momentum in 2025

With momentum building, a bipartisan bill was introduced in April 2025 by Sen. Matt Ball and Rep. Lisa Feret, aiming to formally authorize automatic pardons for low-level psychedelic convictions. The goal: clear records without requiring individuals to petition—and ensure justice reflects current law greenpharms.com.

This bill builds on Polis’s marijuana pardons, while striving to eliminate the administrative hurdles that slowed the earlier rollout.

Broader Impacts & Stakeholder Voices

• Restorative justice: Pardons remove barriers to jobs, housing, education, and more—helping those affected by “failed prohibition era” policies .

• Public sentiment: Reddit communities applauded the move, with a user noting, “Gov. Polis is a man of common sense. People arrested for mushrooms should be pardoned” reddit.com+15reddit.com+15colorado.gov+15.

• Regulation underway: Colorado is actively creating licensing systems for “healing centers” to offer supervised psychedelic therapies—expected by late 2024 rockymountainvoice.com+5axios.com+5reddit.com+5.

What Comes Next?

1. Legislative Approval – The April 2025 bill needs to pass to empower mass pardons.

2. Automatic/Streamlined Pardons – Similar to cannabis—no petitions, records cleared for those eligible.

3. Integration with Psychedelic Therapies – Pardons dovetail with licensing facilitators and insurance coverage goals.

Why It Matters

Colorado is again at the cutting edge—first cannabis, now psychedelics. Pardon programs acknowledge changing laws and treat convictions fairly; regulatory systems and insurance pathways enable access to healing while encouraging research.

Voices from the Community

“Colorado Governor Polis said … prohibition creates unnecessary research barriers.” reddit.com+2reddit.com+2westword.com+2reddit.com+1cbsnews.com+1 “Gov. Polis is a man of common sense. People arrested for mushrooms should be pardoned.” 

In Summary

Governor Polis is positioning Colorado to align justice with present policy—pardoning individuals for actions no longer illegal and supporting regulated, therapeutic use of psychedelics. With bipartisan legislation underway, the state aims to fully implement pardons, expand treatment access, and build a compassionate model for drug reform.