Creative District Mulled in the Heart of GMF
Rick Langenberg
It’s now Green Mountain Falls’ turn to deal with the controversial issue of where to allow legal hubs for magic mushrooms and other psychedelics, now mandated by the state, through rules licensing natural medicine or healing centers.
At their next meeting in early August, elected leaders will try to get down to the specifics of where these centers can function, along with hours of operation and additional details.
Opinions are mixed on this topic among the trustees. Plus, some civic leaders are questioning how these centers fit into the recently approved future vision for Green Mountain Falls, a vision that heavily embraces the outdoors, art, a small-town atmosphere and a neighborly spirit. The advent of possible mushroom centers has sparked lively discussions at community meetings throughout the state. Green Mountain Falls is no exception.
Mayor Todd Dixon has recently been forced to play the role of head referee in balancing the views of local leaders against the rules of the state. “We can’t totally prohibit it (natural healing centers, allowing the consumption of magic mushrooms and certain psychedelic drugs for therapy), said Dixon at a recent trustees meeting. Dixon further emphasized this stand at his annual mayor’s forum during a community event sponsored by the Green Box Arts Festival. He hinted that the town must come up with possible areas or zones for these facilities.
In response to a question raised by planning commission member and long-time resident Rocco Blasi, the mayor stated that the town is weighing its options, when it comes to natural medicine centers, and hopes to come up with visual drawings and more details outlining possible locations. He hesitated in mentioning any specific details at the recent forum, but admitted that under the town’s current proposal, it is virtually impossible for a natural healing center to open its doors in GMF. “We are just not there yet,” said Dixon, who wants to see more visuals regarding prospective locations for natural medicine operations. He made it clear that the town can’t outlaw these centers, part of a ballot proposal approved by the voters of Colorado.
At its most recent trustees meeting in early July, the trustees discussed proposed rules for these centers
Only one problem with the town’s magic mushroom blueprint: Virtually no natural medicine center could be permitted under their rules, mainly due to the distance requirements.
This has newly appointed trustee Brandi Moralez raising a red flag. “This is a polite way of saying we don’t want you here at all,” said Moralez, when expressing concerns over some of the restrictions. “It makes it too restrictive.”
She indicated that through the town’s new natural medicine center plan, any future psychedelic mushroom hub would be banned due to the stipulations provided.
But trustee John Bell disagrees and says he supports the proposed rules adopted by the planning commission. These rules set distance requirements from churches, schools and certain rehab facilities. Bell favors these restrictions, considering the character of the town.
Moralez, though, stressed that the state law mandates natural medicine centers for therapeutic purposes. This is an issue that virtually every Colorado municipality has grappled with in recent months. And in most cases, they have come up with solutions that many community residents aren’t happy about. Under the law, 2025 is cited as the time for these centers to be allowed to open or get licensed.
Under current legal interpretation of this law, a municipality can’t ban these facilities, but it can set restrictions.
Moralez argued that these restrictions can’t make it impossible for a natural medicine center to open up shop in Green Mountain Falls. (This is) “something that is for mental health,” said the trustee. She specifically questioned the idea of having very limited hours of operation. She also doesn’t want to make these hours so limited that someone who frequents the center could be endangered.
Under new Colorado laws regarding magic mushrooms, Colorado has taken steps to decriminalize personal use and establish a framework for therapeutic access to psilocybin. However, selling or publicly using these substances is still prohibited and carries potential legal consequences.
Another wrinkle in the natural medicine controversy deals with a new vision statement adopted as part of the town’s master plan process. Under this vision, natural medicine centers would most likely be frowned upon, as this vision mostly endorses GMF as a town that heavily supports outdoor recreation, creative arts, a small-town atmosphere and a neighborly spirit.
Some are questioning how a place that allows individuals to consume magic mushroom would tie in with this vision.
Town officials, though, argue that this is part of a state mandate.
Town Manager Caleb Patterson stated that he will try to revise these natural medicine rules slightly and present an alternative proposal to the trustees. This alternative will most likely have to lessen the restrictions, such as the distance from a church.
