09/17/2025
“Magic Mushrooms” may be decriminalized, but driving after use is illegal.
Although psilocybin and other natural medicines like dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding pe**te) are now legal to use at home or at a licensed healing center, driving under the influence of any impairing substance — whether alcohol, cannabis, pharmaceuticals, or psychedelics — is both illegal and dangerous.
The effects of natural medicines and psychedelics, including slowed reaction time, visual and auditory hallucinations, disordered thinking, and loss of muscle control, may significantly affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, even if the effects feel diminished after the “trip,” or psychedelic experience, ends.
To date, the Colorado Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Natural Medicine Division has provided licenses to 21 healing centers, 97 natural medicine business owners, and 67 handlers (employees) in the state. As the number of healing centers and licensed facilities in Colorado continues to grow, CDOT is determined to educate consumers and keep crash fatalities caused by psychedelics at zero.
Important facts include:
1. The effects of some natural medicines can last for many hours or even days. While a "trip" may feel over, lingering effects, such as slowed reaction time and tiredness, may impair your ability to drive for longer than you think. Plan Your Trip by making sure you have a driver who hasn’t used any impairing substance within 24 hours.
2. You can get a DUI for driving impaired by psychedelics just like with alcohol. Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and Colorado State Patrol Sergeant Jason Sparks emphasizes that law enforcement is trained to spot impairment from any impairing substance, including natural medicine. And, a DUI for psychedelic substances (regulated or not) carries the same penalties as an alcohol DUI, including hefty fines, license suspension, and jail time.
3. Even when used medicinally or for ceremonial purposes, it’s still illegal to drive under the influence of psychedelics. Unlimited Sciences, a Colorado-based psychedelic research nonprofit, believes the natural medicine community has a shared responsibility to keep everyone safe on the road. “As advocates for natural medicine, we have a shared responsibility to keep our communities safe. That means making the conscious choice to never drive while impaired,” said Unlimited Sciences Executive Director Katie Pickard.
4. Before consuming regulated natural medicines at a licensed healing center, the state requires participants to fill out a Transportation Plan form. The document confirms that a participant has access to safe transportation to and from their administered session, regardless of the amount of natural medicine consumed.
Visit CDOT’s natural medicine website (https://www.codot.gov/safety/impaired-driving/natural-medicine/natural-medicine) for more information about the risks of driving under the influence of psychedelics. The website also includes resources on public transportation, ride-sharing options, and how to plan a safe trip after consuming psychedelics. Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety has a hotline open to the public for questions regarding natural psychedelics or other impairing substances available at 1-800-222-1222. For broader information about state regulation, licensing, and safety, as well as a healing center directory and facilitator resources, visit DOR’s Natural Medicine page (https://dnm.colorado.gov/).
