Denver Department of Public Health & Enviornment
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Psychedelic mushrooms are decriminalized in Denver, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to shop for them.
According to a bulletin from Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, local health officials have removed PolkaDot brand chocolate bars that were infused with psychoactive ingredients from three different Denver retailers this month. The retailers were not named, but all three carried PolkaDot-branded chocolates that were found to contain psilocybin and psilocin, the psychedelic compounds found in magic mushrooms, after the DDPHE had them analyzed by “a local laboratory certified to detect psychoactive compounds.”
The only licensed psychedelic testing lab open in Colorado is Nordic Analytical, according to state records. The DDPHE bulletin notes that testing on the PolkaDot bars also found 4-ACO-DET, 4-HO-DET, and 4-HO-MET, all of which are synthetically-derived tryptamines that “can elicit psychoactive effects and are prohibited in retail food products.”
PolkaDot chocolates are widely available online, but have also been found at brick-and-mortar retailers in some states, including California and Colorado. The DDPHE notes that because of psilocybin’s federal illegality, PolkaDot-branded products are not regulated and could be manufactured by multiple unconnected operations.
“PolkaDot brand labeling and branding materials are widely available online, making it possible for multiple unconnected manufacturers to produce products under the PolkaDot name. The lack of consistent regulatory oversight for these items increases food safety risks and the likelihood of undisclosed psychoactive ingredients,” the DDPHE memo reads. “While most PolkaDot products are infused chocolate bars and gummies, other items include liquid shots and seltzers. These products are sold through online retailers and in smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations across Colorado and other states.”
Underground Mushroom Edibles
Colorado voters approved a measure in 2022 decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms and several other natural psychedelics statewide. The voter-approved measure also legalized licensed psilocybin cultivators and healers and allowed people operating in a personal-use space to gift or donate psilocybin, DMT and mescaline. Although psilocybin edibles haven’t become popular at licensed healers yet, the personal-use space and underground markets are full of chocolates, gummies, teas and even ice cream made with psilocybin…or are they?
California’s Department of Public Health issued a similar warning to Denver’s recent alert for PolkaDot chocolates in 2024, claiming the bars contained dangerous additives such as synthetic psychedelics. That same year, Colorado’s Department of Natural Medicine issued a public warning about illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz, another company that claimed to make psilocybin-infused edibles. Last July, the City of Denver issued a warning to tobacco and head shops for selling products claiming to contain psilocybin.
“These products might not be labeled with their actual ingredients and pose a danger to public health,” according to the city’s July warning bulletin. “Some retail tobacco license holders might be unaware the products contain psilocybin and aren’t legal to sell under Denver and Colorado law.”
According to DDPHE’s most recent warning, the city is “continuing to investigate the scope of distribution and production of PolkaDot-branded products.”
People who buy PolkaDot-branded products in Denver are encouraged to report the products to 311 or local authorities, and to seek medical attention immediately if they’re experiencing adverse effects.
