Recent data has highlighted a concerning trend: calls to poison control centers related to psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, have spiked, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This increase coincides with the decriminalization and legalization of psilocybin in certain US cities and states. Understanding where magic mushrooms are legal and the implications of these changing laws is crucial for public health and safety.
The Shifting Legal Landscape of Psilocybin
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is complex and varies significantly across the United States. It’s important to distinguish between decriminalization and legalization, as these terms are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings.
Decriminalization vs. Legalization Explained
Decriminalization reduces the penalties for possessing small amounts of a substance, often treating it as a minor offense similar to a traffic violation rather than a criminal act. It doesn’t make the substance legal to sell or commercially distribute. Legalization, on the other hand, removes most or all legal prohibitions, allowing for regulated production, sale, and use.
Denver, Colorado, was the first city in the US to decriminalize psilocybin in 2019. This move signaled a shift in drug policy, directing law enforcement to prioritize other crimes over psilocybin possession. However, decriminalization in Denver, and later in cities like Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Seattle, did not make magic mushrooms legal to buy or sell.
States Where Magic Mushrooms Are Legal
Currently, only two states have moved beyond decriminalization to fully legalize psilocybin for adult use:
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Oregon: In 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use in supervised settings. This means adults can legally access psilocybin services at licensed service centers after undergoing a preparation session. It’s important to note that Oregon’s law focuses on therapeutic use, not recreational sales.
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Colorado: Following Oregon, Colorado legalized psilocybin in 2022. Similar to Oregon, Colorado’s law establishes a framework for regulated access to psilocybin at licensed centers. This legalization effort also emphasizes therapeutic applications and responsible use.
It’s crucial to understand that even in Oregon and Colorado, the legality is structured around regulated access points and therapeutic use. Purchasing or possessing magic mushrooms outside of these regulated frameworks may still carry legal consequences.
Cities and Decriminalization
Beyond the states that have legalized psilocybin, a growing number of cities have decriminalized it. These cities include:
- Denver, Colorado
- Oakland, California
- Santa Cruz, California
- Somerville, Massachusetts
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Northampton, Massachusetts
- Detroit, Michigan
- Washington, D.C.
- Seattle, Washington
Decriminalization in these cities represents a significant change in local drug policy, but it does not equate to legal sales or unregulated use of magic mushrooms.
The Impact of Legal Changes: Increased Poison Control Calls
The shift towards decriminalization and legalization has coincided with an increase in calls to poison control centers related to psilocybin exposure, particularly among young people. A recent study analyzing data from 55 US poison centers between 2013 and 2022 reveals a concerning trend.
Study Findings: Rise in Psilocybin Exposures
The study, analyzing data from the National Poison Data System, found 4,055 psilocybin-related exposures among individuals aged 13 to 25 over a decade. Notably, a significant increase in these calls began in 2019, the same year Denver decriminalized psilocybin.
Between 2013 and 2018, before decriminalization in Denver, psilocybin-related poison control cases remained relatively stable across all age groups. However, starting in 2019 for adolescents (13-18) and 2020 for young adults (19-25), a considerable yearly increase began. Within just two years, reported psilocybin cases more than tripled among adolescents and more than doubled among young adults compared to 2018, when psilocybin was uniformly illegal.
Vulnerable Age Groups: Adolescents and Young Adults
The study highlights that adolescents and young adults are particularly affected by this rise in psilocybin exposures. A significant majority of reported cases – 75.3% for adolescents and 72.1% for young adults – required medical attention, including hospitalization or psychiatric facility admissions.
Health Risks Associated with Psilocybin
Psilocybin, while explored for therapeutic potential, is a hallucinogenic substance that can induce a range of effects, including euphoria and altered perception of space and time. However, it can also lead to adverse reactions such as:
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Agitation
- Rapid heart rate
- Confusion
These potential health risks underscore the importance of responsible use and access, especially as psilocybin becomes more accessible in certain regions.
Broader Context and Concerns
The increase in psilocybin-related poison control calls mirrors a similar trend observed after cannabis legalization, suggesting a pattern associated with changing drug policies and increased availability.
Parallels with Cannabis Legalization
Research indicates a rise in acute cannabis poisoning cases among children and adolescents following the legalization of marijuana in various states, starting in 1996. This parallel suggests that increased access to psychoactive substances, even when regulated, can lead to unintended consequences, particularly for younger populations.
Illegal Access for Underage Individuals
Despite legalization and decriminalization measures often restricting access to adults 21 and older, the data suggests that young people are still obtaining and using psilocybin. This indicates potential illegal acquisition and highlights the challenges in controlling access, even with legal frameworks in place.
Conclusion
Understanding where magic mushrooms are legal is only one piece of the puzzle. While Oregon and Colorado have legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use, and numerous cities have decriminalized it, the recent spike in poison control calls raises concerns. This data emphasizes the need for public health initiatives focused on responsible use, education about potential risks, and strategies to prevent unintended consequences, especially among vulnerable adolescent and young adult populations, as psilocybin laws continue to evolve.
