Colorado Governor Signs Bill Allowing Psychedelic Conviction Pardons
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a new bill allowing people with past psychedelic drug convictions to apply for pardons. The move follows the state’s broader effort to shift away from criminal penalties for drug use and toward a more health focused model. Polis called the legislation a step toward justice and fairness for individuals affected by outdated drug laws.
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| Key Takeaways | Details |
|---|---|
| What the bill does | Allows individuals to seek pardons for past psychedelic convictions |
| Who it affects | People with convictions for substances now legal under Colorado state law |
| Why it matters | It aligns policy with current public attitudes and psychedelic decriminalization efforts |
| Governor’s statement | Polis said it reflects evolving views on drug policy and promotes fairness |
| Context | Follows 2022 voter approval of Proposition 122 to decriminalize psychedelics |
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An Effort Rooted in Reform
The new law builds on Proposition 122 which passed in 2022. That measure decriminalized the personal use and possession of certain natural psychedelic substances including psilocybin and DMT. The bill signed by Polis allows those with past convictions for now decriminalized substances to petition the state for clemency. It does not apply automatically. Individuals must submit a request and show that the offense would no longer be considered a crime.
This measure is narrow in scope but its symbolic impact is significant. For many people especially those from marginalized communities drug convictions have had lasting effects on employment housing and family life. This law offers a path forward for some of those individuals though it is not retroactive or automatic. It is a case by case process that depends on how the original offense aligns with the law today.
Looking Ahead
Colorado is not alone in reconsidering past drug convictions. States like Oregon and California have also taken steps to expunge or pardon certain offenses related to cannabis or psychedelics. The change reflects a growing consensus that criminalizing drug use has done more harm than good.
Still the process is slow and sometimes incomplete. Critics argue that more aggressive measures are needed to repair the damage done by the war on drugs. For now this new law represents a cautious but meaningful step. It signals that Colorado recognizes the cost of punitive drug laws and is willing to offer relief to those most affected.
Whether other states follow remains to be seen but the tide is turning.
