Emma Wilson
Nevada has been at the forefront of the decriminalization and legalization of illicit drugs. In 2023, the state passed SB 242, a bill that established a working group to study the therapeutic uses of psychedelics like mushrooms and the impact of decriminalization. While the bill did not fully decriminalize mushrooms, it is a step towards legal access to psychedelic therapies, with the working group recommending reduced penalties for psilocybin and a pilot program for supervised use in mental health treatment. Nevada's first psychedelic church also intends to offer psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use, and lawmakers like Senator Rochelle Nguyen continue to advocate for decriminalization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of magic mushrooms in Nevada | Illegal, but there are efforts to decriminalize and legalize for medicinal use |
| Scientific name of the psychedelic substance found in magic mushrooms | Psilocybin |
| States where psilocybin is legal | Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. |
| Bill to decriminalize psilocybin in Nevada | SB242 |
| Year the bill was passed | 2023 |
| Group formed to study the use of psychedelics and their potential decriminalization effects | The Psychedelic Medicines Working Group |
| Year the group's findings are due | 2024 |
| Year Nevada's first psychedelic church was established | 2024 |
| County where the church is located | Washoe County |
| Name of the church | Setas Seminary Church of Spiritual Integration |
| Founders of the church | Pam Conboy and Dr. Leah Linder |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are illegal in Nevada
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are currently illegal in Nevada. However, there is a growing movement to decriminalize and legalize their use for medicinal purposes. Proponents of legalization argue that magic mushrooms have medicinal properties that can aid in the treatment of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also argue that the current treatment modalities for these conditions are often inadequate.
In 2023, a bill known as SB 242 was introduced in Nevada with the original aim of decriminalizing psilocybin. However, the final version of the bill fell short of full decriminalization. Instead, it established a working group to study the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and the potential impact of decriminalization and legalization in the state. The working group, named "The Psychedelic Medicines Working Group," has until the end of 2024 to submit its findings.
Despite the amended nature of SB 242, its passage still represents a significant step forward. Nevada has long been a frontrunner for the decriminalization and legalization of illicit drugs, and the bill's signing by a Republican governor indicates a growing political will to explore the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. Additionally, the establishment of a working group allows for the collection of more safety and efficacy data, which is crucial for informing future policy decisions.
In March 2025, Nevada Democratic Senator Rochelle Nguyen presented a joint resolution urging federal lawmakers to reschedule psilocybin. Currently, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, which means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, the resolution does not have a direct impact on the law. Lawmakers in Nevada are also considering Assembly Bill 378, which would create a pilot program allowing certain patients with mental health conditions to access psychedelic treatment.
While the legalization of magic mushrooms in Nevada is not yet a reality, there are ongoing efforts by activists, lawmakers, and advocacy groups to lay the groundwork for eventual legalization. This includes the establishment of Nevada's first psychedelic church, which intends to offer psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use under the religious freedom act. The church's founders, Pam Conboy and Dr. Leah Linder, believe that a church can be a legal vehicle for providing people with the healing effects they have experienced from microdosing magic mushrooms.
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Psilocybin is a hallucinogen
Psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms, is currently illegal in Nevada and classified as a Schedule 1 drug with "a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment". However, there is a growing movement in the state to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin for medicinal use.
In 2023, Nevada lawmakers introduced SB 242, a bill aimed at decriminalizing psilocybin. However, the final version of the bill only created a working group to study the use of psychedelics and the potential impact of decriminalization and medical legalization in the state. Despite this, the working group has recommended that lawmakers consider revising Nevada law to reduce penalties for psilocybin and create a pilot program for certain patients to access supervised psilocybin treatment for mental health conditions.
In March 2025, Nevada Democratic Senator Rochelle Nguyen presented a joint resolution urging federal lawmakers to reschedule psilocybin. Additionally, Assembly Bill 378 was introduced, which would create a pilot program allowing certain patients diagnosed with mental health conditions to access psychedelic treatment in Nevada. These efforts indicate a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and a shift towards exploring legalization and decriminalization of psychedelics in Nevada.
As of 2024, Nevada's first psychedelic church has emerged, with spiritual leaders intending to offer psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use under the religious freedom act. This further demonstrates the increasing demand for access to psilocybin and the exploration of alternative avenues for legalization. While the use of psilocybin is still illegal in Nevada, the state is actively discussing and studying the potential benefits of decriminalization and legalization, joining a growing number of localities in North America that are re-evaluating their legal frameworks regarding psychedelic substances.
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Therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics
In the state of Nevada, the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics is being explored as a potential pathway to legalization. While magic mushrooms are currently illegal in Nevada, the state is taking steps towards understanding their medicinal value. A bill, SB242, was introduced with the aim of decriminalizing psychedelics, but the final version of the bill only established a working group to study the use of psychedelics and the impact that decriminalization could have on the state. This working group has recommended that lawmakers consider revising Nevada law to reduce penalties for psilocybin and create a pilot program for certain patients to start the supervised use of psilocybin for mental health treatment.
Psychedelics have a long history of medicinal use, dating back to ancient times. Plant-based psychedelics, such as psilocybin, have been used for ceremonial, therapeutic, and cultural purposes. After the first English-language report on LSD in 1950, psychedelics gained traction in psychology and psychiatry as aids to psychotherapy for the treatment of mood disorders and alcohol dependence. However, prohibitive legislation in the mid-1960s halted psychedelic research. Since the early 1990s, there has been a revival of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, with modern brain imaging studies and clinical trials exploring their efficacy in treating various conditions.
One area where psychedelics show promise is in the treatment of mental health disorders. Proponents of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, argue that when used properly, it can help treat mental health issues such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Microdosing, or taking a small amount of psilocybin (between 0.1 and 0.3 grams), has been associated with improved mood and enhanced creativity without inducing hallucinations. Clinical trials have also demonstrated the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and alcohol dependence.
The therapeutic potential of psychedelics extends beyond mental health. Psychedelics have been explored as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease dementia, with research suggesting their potential generalized therapeutic action. Additionally, the direct 5-HT2AR agonist properties of psychedelics are hypothesized to enhance sensitivity to the environment and facilitate emotional release, making them potentially useful in combination with psychological support for stress-related disorders.
As research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics advances, it is important to maximize their potential therapeutic benefit while minimizing risks. Clinical protocols for psychedelic studies incorporate elements such as informed consent, comfortable settings, music, and the presence of a co-therapist team to ensure a safe and supportive environment for patients. Further research is needed to determine the optimal therapeutic protocols for these treatments and to address any potential economic arguments for psychedelic therapies.
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Lawmakers in Nevada are working to allow psilocybin for medical treatment
Nevada is currently exploring the legalization of psychedelic medicines, including psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms." While psilocybin is currently illegal in Nevada and classified as a Schedule 1 drug, there is a growing movement to allow its use for medical treatment.
In 2023, a bill known as SB 242 was introduced with the original aim of decriminalizing psilocybin. However, the final version of the bill only created a working group to study the use of psychedelics and the potential impact of decriminalization and medical legalization in the state. The working group, called the "Psychedelic Medicines Working Group," has until the end of 2024 to submit its findings.
Despite facing serious hurdles, lawmakers in Nevada continue to work towards allowing psilocybin for medical treatment. In March 2025, Nevada Democratic Senator Rochelle Nguyen presented a joint resolution urging federal lawmakers to reschedule psilocybin. Additionally, Assembly Bill 378 was introduced, which would create a pilot program allowing certain patients with mental health conditions to access psychedelic treatment in Nevada.
Proponents of psilocybin legalization argue that it has medicinal properties that can be used to treat mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also point to the fact that psilocybin has been legalized for medical use in other states, such as Oregon and Colorado, and that it can be safely used in a controlled environment.
While there is growing support for the legalization of psilocybin for medical treatment in Nevada, there are still concerns and challenges to be addressed. Some worry about the potential for abuse and the need for more scientific research on the long-term effects of psilocybin use. Nonetheless, with a growing body of scientific research highlighting the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, Nevada is joining a growing number of states and localities in North America that are re-evaluating their legal frameworks around these substances.
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A church in Washoe County offers microdoses of psilocybin mushrooms
In March 2024, it was reported that a new church in Washoe County, Nevada, called the Setas Seminary Church of Spiritual Integration, intends to offer small doses of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", to its practicing members. The church was founded by Pam Conboy and Dr. Leah Linder and describes itself as a ""non-denominational, holistic church intent on elevating whole health and spiritual connection".
The church is not a retail shop, but rather a spiritual organization that will offer microdoses as part of a suite of holistic health practices. The organizers of Setas Seminary believe they can provide psilocybin mushrooms under the protection of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, which allows for the sacramental use of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Members can obtain a 60-day supply of microdosage psilocybin pills and an organic supplement blend intended to enhance the mushrooms' healing effects. The founders of the church declined to disclose the source of their mushrooms, stating only that they are grown in highly controlled lab environments in either California or Nevada, and that all mushrooms are tested for potency, toxins, heavy metals, and other undesirable elements.
The establishment of this church comes at a time when Nevada's relationship with psilocybin mushrooms is evolving. In March 2023, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 242, which initially aimed to decriminalize the use, cultivation, and possession of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms. However, the bill was eventually scaled back, and mushrooms remain illegal in Nevada. The passed version of the bill instead directed the formation of a working group to study the medicinal use of psilocybin. This working group presented its findings in the 2025 legislative session, and Assembly Bill 378 was introduced, proposing a pilot program to allow certain patients to access psychedelic treatment in Nevada. Despite these efforts, psilocybin remains a Schedule 1 drug under federal law, defined as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.
Activists and proponents of psilocybin mushrooms argue for their therapeutic benefits, particularly in treating mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also emphasize the potential for microdosing, which involves taking a small amount of psilocybin (between 0.1 and 0.3 grams), to boost mood and enhance self-reflection without inducing hallucinations. An early study at Harvard in 1960 supported these potential benefits of microdosing. As a result, local advocacy groups in Nevada are working to educate the community and reduce the stigma associated with psilocybin, with the hope of eventually achieving legalization.
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Frequently asked questions
No, magic mushrooms are illegal in Nevada. However, SB 242, also known as "The Mushroom Bill", was passed and signed by the Governor in June 2023, which established a working group to study the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and the impact that decriminalization and legalization could have in the state.
SB 242 is a bill that was originally intended to decriminalize psychedelics in Nevada. However, the final version of the bill only created a working group to study the use of psychedelics and their potential decriminalization effects. The bill was signed into law by Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in 2023.
The working group, known as "The Psychedelic Medicines Working Group", has until the end of 2024 to submit its findings. The group is studying the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and will present its findings to the state. The group is also working to reduce penalties for psilocybin and create a pilot program for certain patients to start the supervised use of psilocybin for mental health treatment.
Proponents of magic mushroom legalization argue that it has medicinal properties that can be used to treat mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also argue that it can be used to treat substance use disorders and help with mood and creativity. Some advocates say that magic mushrooms should be made accessible to first responders and veterans who have put their lives on the line and may be suffering from mental health issues.
