The Road to Legalization for Magic Mushrooms

Have you been keeping up with the latest news on the legalization of psychedelics?

The history of magic mushrooms goes back to our ancestors, who believed they offered healing powers. Some even consider these fungi responsible for the evolution of the human species.

While many people still associate these natural psychedelics with self-discovery and spiritual experiences, they remain illegal in most countries. Thankfully, promising research is bringing new life to this subject, slowly changing how the world sees magic mushrooms.

Are shrooms legal in the USA?

We explore the current legislation on these psychedelic fungi and which states have legalized their use. You’ll also learn the difference between an illegal substance and a decriminalized one.

Let’s get started.

Magic Mushroom Laws in the US

Before we get stuck into the legalization of psychedelics, it helps to understand its history. The US banned the sale, possession, and consumption of magic mushrooms in 1970 after an assessment from the UN.

Since then, the laws have remained largely untouched, and shrooms are still considered illegal due to their two main active ingredients:

Psilocybin
Psilocin

Both of these natural compounds are listed as Schedule 1 drugs, making it a federal crime to buy and consume mushrooms containing that contain them.

Penalties for breaking the current US psychedelic legislation depend primarily on the amount of shrooms you possess. Anyone found guilty could receive a misdemeanor, fine, or a felony charge, punishable by up to 20 years in jail.

Over the last decade, people of the world have altered their perception of magic mushrooms and their benefits. The shift came after research found that these fungi species could hold medicinal properties and help treat various conditions.

Some US states have changed their psychedelic legislation, decriminalizing the possession and consumption of mushrooms. These laws have allowed researchers to explore the medical uses of these fungi, identifying them as a potential treatment for:

Opiate addiction
Depression and anxiety
PTSD

While psilocybin remains illegal, the new laws make it possible to study the spores of these mystical fungi under a microscope.

Which States Have Legalized Psilocybin?

As it currently stands, there are no US states that have fully legalized the use and possession of psilocybin.

However, there are positive signs that these laws are changing.

In 2019, Denver became the first US city to revisit the legalization of psychedelics by decriminalizing psilocybin. The new regulations prohibit spending resources prosecuting adults over 21 for the possession of magic mushrooms.

Other major cities have followed Denver’s example by decriminalizing the possession and consumption of psilocybin, such as:

Oakland
Santa Cruz
Washington D.C.
Seattle
Somerville
Cambridge
Northampton

In 2020, the city of Oregon, Colorado, became the first place in the US to make psychedelics legal for medicinal use. Although Measure 109 only decriminalized the possession of recreational magic mushrooms, it’s a shining example of what the future may hold.

For now, anyone interested in learning about psilocybin can legally study spores for mycology purposes. Psychonauts looking to experience magic mushrooms firsthand will need to travel abroad to countries where they are legal, like:

Brazil
Bulgaria
Jamaica
the Netherlands
Samoa

Can You Grow Magic Mushrooms in Colorado?

Although magic mushrooms have been decriminalized in certain cities, such as Denver, that doesn’t mean anyone can go and start growing magic mushrooms. The compounds found within these mushrooms are still considered illegal on a federal level, and can failure to comply with these laws can come with serious penalties.

It’s also worth noting that the current laws view sharing magic mushrooms in the same light as selling them. Therapists found distributing psilocybin to patients during sessions risks losing their license as well as facing criminal charges.

Now since the spores of these psychedelic fungi don’t contain any psilocybin, you’re allowed to purchase them in most US states. California, Idaho, and Georgia are the only places where buying magic mushroom spores is illegal.

Here at Fungushead, we offer high-quality laboratory grade spore syringes for sale. All of our magic mushroom spores are intended for microscopy and taxonomy research purposes only.

Illegal vs. Decriminalized: What’s the Difference?

The recent changes in the legalization of psychedelics have led to some confusion on what you can and can’t do. Below we look at the difference between an illegal substance and one that’s decriminalized to help you understand the laws clearer.

You first need to understand that legalization and decriminalization are not the same. The former refers to a banned substance that’s been made legal for use under state and federal laws.

Decriminalization is when a drug is still prohibited, but a person cannot receive a criminal record for possession. It also ensures that the substance is regulated and federally controlled, which is the case with the current psychedelic legislation.

An illegal substance is a drug prohibited by law for consumption or sale. Anyone found guilty could face hefty financial fines and a prison sentence. Some of the drugs currently on the list of illegal substances include: