A Second State Gets Ready for Psychedelic Therapy
It’s hard to believe, but Oregon’s state-regulated psychedelic therapy program—passed by voters five years ago—has been up and running for the past two years and has now served more than 10,000 clients. At Healing Advocacy Fund, the work of sustaining and evolving this first-of-its-kind program towards greater safety and accessibility is built on a foundation of relationships, information and building community.
A case in point: HB 2387, a bill based on policy which the Healing Advocacy Fund developed, workshopped, and gained community support for, is currently winding its way through the Oregon Legislature. A bill that began as a way to protect licensed healthcare and mental health providers when discussing psilocybin therapy with clients and patients (and if they hold a facilitator’s license, to bring their existing skills into preparation and integration) now includes several needed improvements to the Oregon program.
More than a year in the making, the outreach of HAF’s Oregon team to garner support for the policy has included hundreds of conversations with stakeholders and providers, taking feedback from those with multiple licenses, engaging providers who feared losing their licenses if they took part in the psilocybin program, and a robust back-and-forth with our Colorado team, who built dual licensure into their program from the start.
Today the bill is sponsored in the 2025 Oregon Legislature by Representative Dacia Grayber, a first responder and supporter of the state’s psilocybin therapy program, and because of the groundwork and partnerships built over the course of more than a year, we see a clear path to its eventual passage. (While of course knowing that nothing is done until it’s done!)
One of our core pieces of work is supporting increased integration of state psychedelic therapy programs with traditional mental health and health care systems. That goal is accomplished through the thousands of conversations, webinars, partnerships and idea-gathering sessions, as we build and expand the next generation of safe, accessible models of psychedelic care in Oregon, Colorado, and beyond.
Taylor West
Executive Director
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Althea Launches the Forward Fund for Psychedelic Healing
Althea provides a free software platform for licensed facilitators and centers in the state regulated model. Working in Oregon over the past year, they were inspired to figure out how to do their part to help improve access to this healing modality, especially as they on-board new Healing Centers in Colorado. They recently launched and seeded the Forward Fund for Psychedelic Healing in partnership with the Tricycle Day Newsletter.
The fund was inspired by sliding scale pricing models that many facilitators employ. They seek to centralize this approach, ensuring that facilitators are paid a standard fee, while reducing costs for those who have a demonstrated need. The first awards will be granted in March and more are expected on a monthly basis.
Participants and companies can contribute to the fund. 100% of proceeds are allocated to pay for facilitator fees and contributors will receive reports to transparently share how their funds are used, while keeping participant information secure.
Read more about the Forward Fund, apply for funding, or contribute. If you're a facilitator or center who wants to participate or use their software to manage clients and state-specific compliance, connect with Althea online.
UPDATES
Oregon: Up to Date Numbers on Psilocybin Services Program Licensing
These numbers are updated periodically by OHA and are subject to change. Last updated March 24, 2025.
Colorado: Up to Date Numbers on Natural Medicine Program Licensing
Access DOR's licensee lookup tool for more information about applications submitted in Colorado, and read about some of the first approved business owner licensees in the Denver Post.
Learn About Colorado Approved Training Programs in our Training Program Directory
As of mid-March, thirteen facilitator training programs have been approved in Colorado. For those considering enrolling in a program, choosing the right fit depends on several factors, from eligibility criteria, price, and scheduling to more nuanced factors like alignment with learning style, values and goals. To support prospective facilitators in considering the range of variables, HAF has compiled a directory of approved training programs in Colorado.
The directory compiles information about:
Eligibility criteria
2025 cohort start dates
Length of program in hours
Length of program in months
Information about the components of the program (didactic training, practicum, and consultation, if offered)
The directory was compiled from training programs’ responses to a survey released by HAF, and reflects their framing of their programs.
> View the Directory
Show Your Support for HB 2387: Oregon’s Program Improvement Bill!
On Thursday, March 20th, HB 2387, the Oregon Psilocybin Program Bill was considered by the Oregon House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. Chief Sponsor Dacia Grayber, along with HAF staff, Oregon’s psilocybin operators, licensed health care providers, veterans organizations, and other supporters shared their insights around the importance of these changes. Now, it’s time to vote the bill out of committee, and onto the House Floor!
Oregonians - show your support by sending an email to your House Representative, and let them know how important this bill is to improve safety and access in Oregon’s Psilocybin Program. Ask your legislators to vote YES on HB 2387!
EVENTS
Colorado Healing Center/Facilitator Virtual Mixer
Join Healing Advocacy Fund for a virtual networking opportunity on Monday, March 31. Meet with facilitators and healing center applicants from across the state, and learn about their visions for their healing centers. There will also be time for Q&A with the HAF team and breakout rooms to get to know facilitators and healing centers in your region.
> Register
Join HAF Colorado Director Tasia Poinsatte in San Francisco at Chacruna’s Psychedelic Culture 2025 Event
The Chacruna Institute for Plant Medicine is hosting Psychedelic Culture 2025 at the Brava Theater in San Francisco March 29-30. This two-day in person event will feature three simultaneous tracks covering Indigenous reciprocity, psychedelic justice, law & policy, women & queer voices, Global South perspectives, and more. Healing Advocacy Fund Colorado State Director Tasia Poinsatte will also join as a speaker.
> Purchase tickets
RESOURCES
Chacruna Offers Certificate in Ceremony, Ethics, and Reciprocity Trainings
From Chacruna: “Chacruna is pleased to announce the launch of our new Training Certificate, an unparalleled education program for ceremonial leaders and psychedelic facilitators seeking to deepen their knowledge and foster ethical, justice-informed practices.”
This training will take place every Thursday from March 20th to October 2nd @10:30am - 12pm PST / 1:30pm - 3pm EST. Registration is open through March 26th!
Use the HAF code “ethicalceremony20” for 20% off when registering.
IN THE NEWS
A Rundown of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Program
Psychedelic Alpha
Last month, Colorado officially wrapped up rulemaking for the state’s regulated natural medicine program. When Colorado healing centers open their doors this spring or summer, Colorado will become the second state in the nation where adults can legally access psilocybin care in facilitated sessions, with clear structures in place to support safety, accountability and access.
> Read the full story
Colorado’s First Psychedelic Healing Centers could Offer Psilocybin Yoga or Microdosing at a Coffee Shop
Denver Post
Meet the Coloradans applying for healing center licenses with business plans ranging from psychedelic therapy to spiritual retreats and wellness centers
“Can Psychedelics Heal Mental Trauma? With Harvard Professor Michael Pollan”
The Oprah Podcast
In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah and bestselling author Michael Pollan discuss the potential of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms) and LSD as a benefit to help relieve symptoms of PTSD, OCD, anxiety, addiction, or depression. Michael’s 2018 book, "How to Change Your Mind", was a watershed moment in the rising national conversation about the use of psychedelics in guided therapy.
Psilocybin Therapy’s Transformative Effects
iHeart Radio: A MoMent of Xen
In the WOR Business Feature we are joined by Michelle and Brian Lindley the co-founders of Omnia Group Ashland, Southern Oregon’s premier state-licensed psilocybin therapy and wellness center. They join me to break down psilocybin therapy, its transformative effects, and how a single journey can heal trauma, restore balance, and help unlock your life’s purpose.
> Listen to the full story