Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in France. The possession, use, transportation, sale, and collection of these mushrooms are prohibited in the country. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. While the convention did not specifically mention the mushrooms, most national drug laws have been amended to reflect the terms of the convention. The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, with some countries allowing their use for medicinal or therapeutic purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of mushrooms in France | Illegal |
| Penalty for possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms | Fine of up to €450 imposed by the police, or up to €3,750 and/or up to one year in jail |
| Legality of ketamine in France | Legal for medical use and available on prescription |
| Legality of LSD in France | Illegal |
| Penalty for possession of LSD in France | Fine of €150 to €450, or up to €3,750 and/or up to one year in jail |
| Legality of MDMA in France | Illegal |
| Penalty for possession of MDMA in France | Fine of €150 to €450, or up to €3,750 and/or up to one year in jail |
| Organisations dedicated to psychedelics in France | Société Psychédélique Française (French Psychedelic Society), Société Psychédélique de Lyon |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are illegal in France
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in France. The possession, use, transportation, sale, and collection of magic mushrooms are prohibited in the country. France has classified magic mushrooms as a narcotic since 1966, and the penalties for possessing them include a fine of up to €3,750 and/or up to one year in jail. However, in 2020, French authorities passed a bill to reduce this penalty, and individuals caught with magic mushrooms can now avoid more severe punishment by paying a fine of up to €450 imposed by the police.
The legality of magic mushrooms varies worldwide, and there is ambiguity and selective enforcement in many national, state, and provincial drug laws. While magic mushrooms are illegal in France, there are some countries and jurisdictions where they are legal or partially legal. For example, in the Netherlands, businesses are legally allowed to sell magic mushroom mycelial clumps or magic truffles, and in the US state of New Mexico, growing psilocybin mushrooms is not considered "manufacturing" a controlled substance. Additionally, in Oregon, magic mushrooms have been legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings since February 2021.
Despite the illegality of magic mushrooms in France, there is a growing interest in their therapeutic potential, and ongoing scientific studies may lead to broader acceptance and legalization in the future. The Société Psychédélique Française (French Psychedelic Society) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating information on psychedelics and increasing the probability of wider cultural acceptance in French society and culture. With ongoing research and increasing societal acceptance, it is possible that France may relax its laws and explore the therapeutic applications of magic mushrooms, similar to other European countries like Portugal and Spain.
Calorific Crunch: Breaded Mushrooms' Calories Unveiled
You may want to see also
Psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule I drugs
While the UN convention sets the tone for global drug policy, individual countries have their own laws and regulations regarding psilocybin and psilocin mushrooms. In the United States, for example, the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965 first subjected psilocybin and psilocin to federal regulation. The law was an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and was intended to regulate the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of hallucinogenic drugs. Today, the US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978 regulates psilocybin mushrooms, and most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs, making them illegal.
The legal status of psilocybin and psilocin mushrooms varies worldwide, with many countries having some level of regulation or prohibition in place. For example, in France, magic mushrooms are illegal, and the penalty for possession can be up to one year in prison and a fine of €3,750. However, in 2020, French authorities passed a bill to mitigate this penalty, so individuals caught with psilocybin mushrooms may only have to pay a fine of up to €450 imposed by the police.
While psilocybin and psilocin mushrooms are illegal in most places, there have been some moves to legalise their use for therapeutic purposes. For example, in Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made magic mushrooms legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. Similarly, in the District of Columbia, an initiative was passed in 2020 that allows for the possession and non-for-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. These changes in policy reflect a growing body of research that suggests psilocybin mushrooms can be beneficial in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.
Mushrooms: A Natural Remedy for Addiction?
You may want to see also
Possession carries fines and/or jail time
Magic mushrooms are illegal to possess, cultivate, or sell in France. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active compounds in magic mushrooms, are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or no recognized medical use. However, the convention did not specifically address the legality of mushroom spores or mycelium, which has led to varying interpretations and loopholes in different countries.
In France, the penalty for possessing psilocybin-containing mushrooms was established by law (Articles L1110-1 à L6441-1) as up to one year in prison and a fine of €3,750. However, in 2020, French authorities passed a bill (article L3421-1) to reduce this penalty. Now, individuals found in possession of magic mushrooms may be able to avoid more severe punishment by paying a fine of up to €450 imposed by the police. This aligns with the penalties for possessing other drugs in France, such as LSD and MDMA, which also carry fines between €150 and €450.
While magic mushrooms are illegal in France, ketamine is legal for medical use and can be prescribed for anesthesia during surgical procedures and for treating PTSD and depression. The Société Psychédélique Française (French Psychedelic Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the acceptance of psychedelics in French society and culture. They provide information on psychedelic publications and research, with the goal of promoting a wider cultural acceptance of psychedelics and influencing clinical research in the country.
The legal status of magic mushrooms is evolving worldwide, with some countries recognizing their therapeutic potential and exploring regulated therapeutic applications. For example, in the Netherlands, magic truffles and grow kits are legal, and businesses can sell them without restriction. In the United States, Oregon has made magic mushrooms legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings, and California is considering a similar move with a bill pending in the State Legislature. These developments suggest a growing recognition of the potential benefits of magic mushrooms and a shift towards exploring their therapeutic applications.
Mushrooms and Gallbladder: A Recipe for Irritation?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
France has a zero-tolerance policy
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, and there is ambiguity and selective enforcement in some places. While some countries allow the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, as they do not contain the drug, France has classified magic mushrooms as a narcotic since 1966. The cultivation, possession, and sale of magic mushrooms are illegal in France.
The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, due to pressure from the Mexican government, the convention did not specifically include mushrooms containing the drug. As a result, many countries have different levels of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms.
Despite the illegal status of magic mushrooms in France, there is a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and ongoing scientific studies may lead to broader acceptance and legalization in the future. The Société Psychédélique Française (French Psychedelic Society) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating information on psychedelics and increasing the probability of cultural acceptance. With the potential for psilocybin to help treat mental health issues, the future of psilocybin mushrooms in France may evolve towards regulated therapeutic applications.
How Saltwater Mushrooms Move and Why
You may want to see also
Ongoing studies may lead to broader acceptance
Magic mushrooms are illegal in France. The possession, use, transportation, sale, and collection of magic mushrooms are prohibited. The penalty for possessing psilocybin-containing mushrooms is up to one year in prison and a fine of €3,750. However, in 2020, French authorities passed a bill to mitigate this penalty, allowing individuals to pay a fine of up to €450 imposed by the police to avoid more severe punishment.
Ongoing studies and increasing societal acceptance may lead to broader acceptance and potential legalization of psilocybin mushrooms in the future. Research suggests that psilocybin can help treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. For example, mushrooms have been shown to treat depression, existential anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and cluster headaches. Evidence also suggests that magic mushrooms and other psychedelics can enhance problem-solving skills and boost creativity. With growing recognition of the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, it is likely that more countries will relax their laws to explore the therapeutic applications of psilocybin. This could positively impact mental healthcare and increase regulated therapeutic applications.
In addition to the therapeutic potential of psilocybin mushrooms, there is also a growing interest in their recreational use. In some countries, such as the Netherlands, psilocybin mushrooms are an integral part of the recreational scene, especially among tourists. The legal status of truffles in the Netherlands allows individuals to experience these mushrooms legally. With ongoing studies and a potential increase in societal acceptance, there may be a push for broader acceptance and legalization of psilocybin mushrooms for recreational use in the future.
It is important to note that the cultural impact of psilocybin mushrooms varies across Europe, and each country has its own unique perspective and legal status regarding these substances. While some countries may be more open to the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, others may maintain a stricter stance. However, with ongoing studies and a growing body of research, the future of psilocybin mushrooms in Europe looks promising, and we may see a shift towards broader acceptance and legalization.
Puffball Mushrooms: What Do They Taste Like?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, magic mushrooms are illegal in France. The possession, use, transportation, sale, and collection of magic mushrooms are all prohibited.
The penalty for possessing magic mushrooms in France is a fine of up to €3,750 and/or up to one year in jail. However, in 2020, French authorities passed a bill to reduce this penalty, so it can be avoided by paying a fine of up to €450 imposed by the police.
Magic mushrooms are legal in some places within the United States, such as Oregon and the District of Columbia. They are also legal in the Netherlands, where they are an integral part of the recreational scene, especially among tourists. In addition, some countries allow the legal ordering of spores, mycelium, and certain other magic mushroom-related products.
