Colorado's Natural Medicine Program LEGAL ACCESS IS EXPANDING
Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program Join The Interest ListNew Pathways for Legal Facilitation in the US are Opening Soon
The Synthesis Institute is Preparing for Approval for Facilitation Training in Colorado
The Synthesis Institute is working diligently to meet Colorado's requirements for becoming an approved Facilitator Training Program by the end of 2024.
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Colorado Facilitator Training: Becoming an Approved Facilitator in Colorado with The Synthesis Institute
Updated August 28, 2024
We are excited to announce our ongoing efforts to meet Colorado's rigorous requirements for becoming an approved Facilitator Training Program under the state's Natural Medicine Program by the end of 2024.
The Synthesis Institute closely follows developments in Colorado’s Natural Medicine Program as new regulatory requirements are nearing completion.
We expect our Psychedelic Practitioner Training to fully comply with the anticipated facilitator training requirements, which have recently been adopted into law.
Our training program will offer all the stipulated requirements for our students to be eligible to apply for Facilitator* and Clinical Facilitator** licenses (see definitions below) in Colorado, including:
- To obtain a Training License, participants must complete 150+ hours of didactic education and basic life support training through the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training.
Once participants have obtained a Training License, they must then, under supervision, complete the following training components to obtain a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license:
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40+ hours of supervised practice training through the Synthesis Immersion Apprenticeship program
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50+ hours of consultation through the Synthesis Practicum program
Facilitator** licenses are for individuals who provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screening, based on generally accepted standards of practice, does not identify risk factors that would suggest the need for the involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider.
Clinical Facilitator* licenses are for professionals who may provide natural medicine services to participants for the purpose of treating physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. A Clinical Facilitator licensee must hold current and active Colorado licensure in a profession that authorizes. They must hold an active and valid license in Colorado to practice any of the following:
1. (PSY) Psychologist, (LSW) Licensed Social Worker, (LCSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (MFT) Marriage and Family Therapist, (LPC) Licensed Professional Counselor, or (LAC) Licensed Addiction Counselor; or
2. Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), advanced practice nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician Assistant (PA).
For Synthesis Alumni, Current, and New Students
Existing students and alumni of the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Training and new students enrolling in our Core Training before the Colorado track becomes available may be able to apply for a Colorado facilitator license once your training is complete. Additional curriculum requirements may be needed, which The Synthesis Institute will provide to ensure your experience matches the application requirements.
We will make more information available here as our application advances.
Join our interest list to receive notifications when updates become available.
How is the legislature changing in Colorado?
Colorado's SB 23-290, which was signed into law on May 23, 2023, decriminalizes the personal use of certain psychedelics for adults 21 and older. This law allows individuals to grow, process, store, use, transport, obtain, share, or ingest psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) without facing criminal penalties. However, selling these substances or using them for commercial promotion is prohibited, as is advertising related to sharing psychedelics or offering services used in conjunction with psychedelic consumption. Payments are allowed for specific services like harm reduction, therapy, and support, and educational materials and websites related to natural medicine are permitted.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado Department of Revenue will regulate the manufacture, cultivation, testing, storage, and sale of natural medicines. Initially, this applys to psilocybin and psilocin, with the potential addition of DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in 2026.
Licensed healing centers can provide natural medicine services, including preparation, administration, and integration sessions facilitated by authorized professionals. Governor Polis has established the Natural Medicine Health Board to develop policy recommendations, and localities can regulate but not prohibit the operation of healing centers within their boundaries.
Discover more about the Natural Medicine Licensure Rules and Regulation and other draft rules here.
About the Synthesis Institute
The Synthesis Institute was founded on a commitment to offering legal and professional psychedelic-supported retreat programs. As the legal landscape for psychedelic care expands, The Synthesis Institute will continue to broaden its educational and training offerings to ensure safe, ethical, and legal access to psychedelic-assisted healing modalities.
Since the launch of The Synthesis Institute in 2018, we've supported more than 1,000 individuals through legal and professionally guided psychedelic-supported healing programs. More than 400 participants have graduated from our pioneering Psychedelic Practitioner Training since its inception in 2021. As a leading retreat and training organization with more than 6 years of direct experience facilitating legal retreats, we recognize our responsibility to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards of care.
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Join our interest list to stay informed on the possibility of becoming a licensed facilitator in Colorado through the Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Training Program:
We are thrilled at the prospect of translating our robust training programs into a path for licensure in Colorado. We look forward to supporting access and healing through this meaningful modality once the state approves The Synthesis Institute as a certified facilitator training program (expected in late 2024).