Laura Smith
As of 2025, Illinois is witnessing significant legislative activity concerning the decriminalization of psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms. In January 2025, Representative La Shawn Ford introduced House Bill 1143, which aims to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and over. This bill, if passed, would establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board, which would oversee the distribution, service centers, facilitator licensing, and safety standards. While the outcome of this bill is uncertain, it reflects a growing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and a shift in attitudes towards decriminalization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of decriminalization of mushrooms in Illinois | Not decriminalized yet |
| Legislative activity concerning mushrooms in Illinois | Significant |
| House Bill 1143 | Aims to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and over |
| Previous efforts for decriminalization | Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act |
| Current status of psilocybin | Classified as illegal under federal law |
| Consequences of possession, sale, and use of psilocybin | Serious |
| Number of bills filed by Illinois lawmakers in 2025 | More than 1,800 |
| Number of bills passed in the previous General Assembly | 564 |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms remain illegal in Illinois
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, remain illegal in Illinois, despite the growing movement advocating for psychedelic reform. While states like Oregon and Colorado have decriminalized the substance, Illinois has yet to follow suit. Local efforts to decriminalize magic mushrooms in Illinois have been rejected, with the Evanston Human Services Committee recently voting down a measure to do so.
The possession, use, or distribution of magic mushrooms in Illinois is still considered illegal, and there are serious consequences under state law for those found guilty. Those caught with less than 200 grams of psilocybin face a Class 4 felony charge, resulting in a potential prison sentence of 1 to 3 years. The penalties increase significantly for larger amounts, with possession of over 200 grams resulting in a Class 1 felony charge and a possible prison sentence of 4 to 15 years.
Despite the ongoing illegality, there have been recent legislative efforts to decriminalize magic mushrooms in Illinois. In early 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1143 (HB 1143), sponsored by Representative La Shawn K. Ford, aiming to remove psilocybin from the state's Schedule I controlled substances list. The bill seeks to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and older, providing a framework for legal use, distribution, and service centers. This initiative builds on earlier attempts, such as the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act, which proposed licensed centers for supervised psilocybin therapy.
While these legislative efforts signal a shift in recognizing the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, they do not change the current legal status. As of 2025, magic mushrooms remain illegal in Illinois, and anyone facing criminal charges related to the substance should consult an experienced criminal attorney. It is important to stay informed about the evolving legal landscape and advocate for change by interacting with local, state, and federal representatives.
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Local efforts to decriminalize have been rejected
As of 2025, Illinois is witnessing significant legislative activity regarding the decriminalization of psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms". In January 2025, Representative La Shawn Ford introduced House Bill 1143, which aims to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and over. This initiative follows earlier efforts, such as the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act, which sought to establish regulated psilocybin therapy programs in Illinois. Despite these efforts, local attempts to decriminalize psilocybin have faced resistance and rejection.
For instance, in Evanston, Illinois, a measure brought forward by Evanston City Council members to decriminalize psilocybin and four other psychedelic drugs was recently voted down 3-2 by the city's Human Services Committee. Evanston's decision stands in contrast to the growing movement advocating for psychedelic reform at both the local and state levels. While there have been no arrests for psilocybin possession by Evanston Police officers in the last decade, the Council members in favor of decriminalization aimed to formalize a policy that would have made Evanston the first city in Illinois to decriminalize the drug.
The rejection of the measure in Evanston highlights the ongoing debate and varying attitudes towards psilocybin decriminalization within Illinois. While some advocate for the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in addressing mental health issues, others remain cautious or resistant to changing the drug's legal status. This resistance is evident not only in Evanston but also in the broader context of Illinois' legislative landscape.
In the spring of 2025, Illinois House lawmakers filed over 1,800 new bills, including proposals related to magic mushrooms and prison alternatives. However, the vast majority of these ideas are unlikely to become law, indicating the challenges faced by advocates of psilocybin decriminalization. Among the proposals, House Bill 1143, sponsored by Representative La Shawn K. Ford, stands out as a groundbreaking initiative to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adult use. The bill seeks to remove psilocybin from the state's Schedule I controlled substances list, effectively legalizing its possession and use for individuals aged 21 and older.
While Illinois has yet to decriminalize psilocybin at the state level, cities like Ann Arbor, Seattle, and Oakland have already done so. Additionally, states such as Oregon and Colorado have legalized and decriminalized psilocybin, providing models for potential future legislation in Illinois. As public perception and scientific research surrounding psychedelics evolve, Illinois may continue to witness efforts to decriminalize psilocybin at the local and state levels, despite facing setbacks and rejections along the way.
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A bill to decriminalize was introduced in 2025
As of 2025, Illinois is witnessing significant legislative activity concerning psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. In January 2025, Representative La Shawn Ford introduced House Bill 1143, aiming to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and over. The bill proposes a framework for the legal use of psilocybin, reflecting a growing recognition of its potential therapeutic benefits.
The bill, HB 1143, seeks to remove psilocybin from the state's Schedule I controlled substances list, effectively legalizing its possession and use for individuals aged 21 and older. If passed, the bill would establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board, which would oversee a regulated framework for psilocybin distribution, service centers, facilitator licensing, and safety standards. The proposal includes specific guidelines for product testing, packaging, and taxation, with revenue directed towards state health and regulatory programs.
This initiative follows earlier efforts, including the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act, which aimed to establish a regulated psilocybin therapy program in Illinois. The CURE Act sought to create licensed service centers where adults could access psilocybin under professional supervision, targeting conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
While the bill introduced in 2025 represents a significant step towards decriminalization, it is important to note that it is just one of many proposals being considered by Illinois lawmakers. In 2025, Illinois House lawmakers filed more than 1,800 new bills, and the vast majority of these ideas are unlikely to become law. However, the introduction of HB 1143 indicates a growing momentum for psychedelic reform at both the local and state levels in Illinois.
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Oregon and Colorado have already decriminalized
As of 2025, psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", remain illegal in Illinois. Local efforts to decriminalize them have been rejected, and there are serious consequences for their possession, sale, and use. However, there is a growing movement advocating for psychedelic reform at both the local and state levels.
The decriminalization of psilocybin in Oregon and Colorado reflects a growing recognition of its potential therapeutic benefits. In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority has issued its first license for a psilocybin treatment center, in accordance with the voter initiative passed two years ago to legalize the drug for therapy in the state. This move comes amid mounting research that suggests psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs can be a safe and effective treatment for serious medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.
In addition to Oregon and Colorado, several cities across the United States have also decriminalized psilocybin, including Ann Arbor, Seattle, and Oakland. In some cities, such as Oakland and Washington, DC, the enforcement of psilocybin's illegality has been made the lowest priority for law enforcement. This trend towards decriminalization and legalization of psilocybin is occurring alongside a growing body of scientific research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics, which is contributing to increasing legal and political support.
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Advocates push for the Compassionate Use of Natural Plants Act
As of 2025, Illinois is witnessing significant legislative activity concerning psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. While psilocybin mushrooms can be found in Illinois, particularly in forested areas and woodlands, the possession, use, or distribution of these mushrooms remains illegal under state law. However, there is a growing movement advocating for psychedelic reform, and Illinois lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at decriminalizing and regulating psilocybin.
One such bill is the Compassionate Use of Natural Plants Act, which some advocates are pushing for. While the specifics of this bill are not known, it is likely that it aims to establish a regulated psilocybin therapy program in Illinois, similar to the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act. The CURE Act sought to create licensed service centers where adults could access psilocybin under professional supervision to treat conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
The push for the decriminalization of psilocybin in Illinois is driven by mounting research that suggests psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs can be safe and effective treatments for serious medical conditions. Proponents of decriminalization argue that psilocybin can be a valuable tool in addressing mental health issues and improving overall mental well-being. This is supported by studies indicating that psilocybin can induce mystical states of consciousness, alter worldviews, improve problem-solving skills, and enhance creativity.
In early 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1143 (HB 1143), sponsored by Representative La Shawn K. Ford, which aims to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and older. The bill seeks to remove psilocybin from the state's Schedule I controlled substances list and establish a regulated framework for its distribution, service centers, facilitator licensing, and safety standards. If passed, HB 1143 would mark a significant step towards legal access to psilocybin in Illinois.
In addition to HB 1143, Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a bill in 2024 modeled after similar laws in Oregon and Colorado, the only two states that have fully decriminalized psilocybin at the state level. This bill would legalize psilocybin for adults over the age of 21 in supervised facilities, provided they meet certain requirements. While these legislative efforts are encouraging for advocates of psilocybin decriminalization, it is important to note that the vast majority of proposed bills do not become law, and the process of passing them can take a significant amount of time.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of 2025, mushrooms are not decriminalized in Illinois. However, there is growing support for the Illinois Compassionate Use of Natural Plants and Fungi Act, and in early 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1143 (HB 1143), a proposal aimed at decriminalizing and regulating psilocybin for adult use.
Psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are illegal in Illinois. Possession, use, or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms is punishable by law.
Possession of psilocybin mushrooms is a felony in Illinois. If caught with less than 200 grams, it is considered a Class 4 felony, punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison. Possession of more than 200 grams is a Class 1 felony, punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.
Yes, there have been several efforts to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in Illinois. In 2024, Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a bill to legalize psilocybin for adults over the age of 21 in supervised facilities. Earlier in 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1143, which aims to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin for adults aged 21 and older.
Proponents of decriminalization argue that psilocybin has therapeutic benefits for mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, drug addiction, and anxiety. Decriminalization would allow for supervised use in a controlled environment, providing a new tool to address the mental health crisis.
