Emily Johnson
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. In Tennessee, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Consequently, the possession, sale, or distribution of psilocybin and magic mushrooms is illegal statewide. However, there is ongoing research into the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, and other states in the US, such as Oregon and Colorado, have already decriminalized or legalized its use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are magic mushrooms legal in Tennessee? | No |
| Are mushroom spores legal in Tennessee? | Yes, but cultivating them into mushrooms is illegal |
| Are there any active decriminalization efforts or medical exemptions for psilocybin use in Tennessee? | No |
| What is the penalty for possessing magic mushrooms in Tennessee? | Fines and imprisonment, with severity depending on the amount involved and the individual’s prior criminal history |
| What is the classification of psilocybin in Tennessee? | Schedule I controlled substance |
| What does the classification indicate? | High potential for abuse and no accepted medical use |
| What are some groups working to decriminalize magic mushrooms in Tennessee? | Psilo (Memphis), Atlanta Detox Center |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are illegal in Tennessee
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are illegal in Tennessee. They are classified as a Schedule I drug, indicating that they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This classification means that the possession, sale, or distribution of magic mushrooms is illegal in Tennessee. If charged with possession or casual exchange, individuals may face Class A misdemeanour penalties, including up to one year in jail or fines up to $2,500.
While magic mushroom spores do not contain psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in mature mushrooms, possessing these spores in Tennessee could be considered illegal paraphernalia or evidence of intent to cultivate magic mushrooms. However, the spores themselves are not explicitly illegal to possess, creating a legal grey area. Cultivating and growing the spores into mushrooms is illegal in Tennessee.
The illegality of magic mushrooms in Tennessee is in contrast to their legal status in some other parts of the world. Globally, the legal status of psilocybin varies, with countries like Peru, Bolivia, the Netherlands, Jamaica, and Samoa having legalised or decriminalised its use. In the United States, magic mushrooms are illegal under federal law, but some states like Oregon, Colorado, and Maine have decriminalised or legalised their use for medicinal or therapeutic purposes.
Despite the illegality of magic mushrooms in Tennessee, there are ongoing efforts to change the state's psychedelic drug laws. Groups like Psilo, a non-profit organisation based in Memphis, are actively working to decriminalise psychedelic mushrooms and create a psilocybin task force. They aim to educate, host informational events, track legislation, and raise funds to advocate for reform. Additionally, pending results of House Bill 1968 and Senate Bill 2598, which aim to pass the "Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act," may provide insight into the Tennessee government's stance on psychedelic decriminalisation.
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Possession of spores is legal, but cultivating them is illegal
In Tennessee, magic mushrooms are illegal and classified as a Schedule I drug, indicating that they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Possession of magic mushrooms is a misdemeanor, and those charged with possession may face Class A misdemeanor penalties, including up to one year in jail or fines up to $2,500.
However, it is important to note that possession of magic mushroom spores is legal in Tennessee because they do not contain psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms. Psilocybin is what causes the altered or unusual perceptions of reality associated with magic mushroom consumption.
While possessing magic mushroom spores is legal, cultivating them into mushrooms is illegal. This means that individuals are prohibited from growing the spores into mature fruiting bodies, as this would result in the presence of psilocin, the active compound in psilocybin mushrooms, which would breach state laws on hallucinogen possession.
Despite the illegality of magic mushrooms in Tennessee, there are ongoing debates and research regarding their therapeutic benefits. Some groups in Tennessee, such as Psilo from Memphis, are actively working to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and create a psilocybin task force. Additionally, cities across the United States, including Denver and Oakland, have started to decriminalize magic mushrooms within their municipalities.
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Penalties for possession include fines and imprisonment
In Tennessee, magic mushrooms are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating that they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. As a result, the possession, sale, or distribution of magic mushrooms is illegal in the state. The penalties for possession include fines and imprisonment, with the severity of the punishment depending on the amount possessed and the individual's prior criminal history.
While the spores of magic mushrooms do not contain psilocybin and are therefore legal to possess, cultivating them into mushrooms with the intent to use is illegal. Possessing spores could be considered illegal paraphernalia, and cultivating them into mushrooms with psilocybin is a violation of Tennessee's laws against hallucinogen possession.
The penalties for possessing magic mushrooms in Tennessee include fines of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail. These penalties are similar to those for possessing other Schedule I substances, such as DMT and ketamine.
It is important to note that the legal status of psilocybin and magic mushrooms is subject to change, and there are ongoing debates and research regarding their therapeutic benefits and potential decriminalization or legalization. As of now, there are no active decriminalization efforts or medical exemptions for psilocybin use in Tennessee.
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Decriminalisation efforts are ongoing in Tennessee
In Tennessee, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Consequently, the possession, sale, or distribution of psilocybin is illegal statewide. However, decriminalization efforts are ongoing in the state.
While psilocybin spores do not contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin and are legal to possess, cultivating them into mushrooms is illegal in Tennessee. Possession of mushroom spores for research purposes is also legal. However, the spores cannot be grown into mature fruiting bodies because they would then contain psilocin, the active compound in psilocybin mushrooms, and thus breach state laws on hallucinogen possession.
Despite the illegality of psilocybin mushrooms in Tennessee, residents are pushing for psychedelic decriminalization and, ultimately, legalization. This push is driven by an increasing number of research studies confirming the efficacy of psychedelics in treating a wide range of mental and physical illnesses. For example, research has shown that psilocybin mushrooms can produce life-altering emotional and behavioral changes in users, supported by physical changes in the deepest layers of the brain.
In addition, there are treatment activists in Tennessee who work to inform the state's residents about industry developments and harm reduction practices while advocating for decriminalization. Psilo, a non-profit organization based in Memphis, aims to convince the state government to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and create a psilocybin task force. They offer educational resources, host informational events, track legislation, raise money through donations, and actively petition for reform.
While there are no active decriminalization efforts or medical exemptions for psilocybin use in Tennessee as of 2025, the pending results of House Bill 1968 and Senate Bill 2598, which aim to pass the "Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act," may provide insight into the state government's stance on psychedelic decriminalization. If these bills are passed, it could indicate a potential shift in Tennessee's approach to psychedelic substances.
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Magic mushrooms are legal in some countries and US states
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in Tennessee. While possession of spores for research purposes is legal, growing them into mushrooms is not. Tennessee classifies magic mushrooms as a Schedule I drug, and possession or casual exchange is considered a Class A misdemeanour, which may result in up to a year in jail or fines of up to $2,500.
Despite their illegality in Tennessee, magic mushrooms are legal in some countries and US states. In the US, Oregon and Colorado have pioneered psilocybin reform by creating state-regulated programs that allow for supervised therapeutic use. A growing list of US cities have also decriminalised psilocybin, including Oakland and Washington, DC. However, this does not mean that mushrooms are technically "legal". On the international stage, the legal status of magic mushrooms varies. While some countries have strict anti-drug policies that prohibit magic mushrooms, such as Japan and South Korea, others have a degree of regulation or prohibition, like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. In Australia, for example, psilocybin and MDMA have been approved for use in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
The legal status of magic mushrooms is evolving rapidly, with growing scientific research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. This shift in societal attitudes towards psychoactive substances has propelled the topic of magic mushrooms from counterculture to mainstream fascination. As a result, there is increasing legal and political support for the decriminalisation and legalisation of magic mushrooms. However, it is important to note that the possession and use of psilocybin are still prohibited under almost all circumstances in most countries, often carrying severe legal penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, magic mushrooms are illegal in Tennessee. They are classified as a Schedule I drug, indicating that they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Penalties for possession can include fines of up to $2,500 and imprisonment of up to one year, with the severity depending on the amount involved and the individual's prior criminal history.
There are currently no active decriminalization or legalization efforts for magic mushrooms in Tennessee. However, there are activist groups, such as Psilo from Memphis, working to convince the state government to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and create a psilocybin task force.
Magic mushroom spores do not contain psilocybin, the psychoactive compound, and are generally legal to possess in Tennessee. However, cultivating them into mushrooms containing psilocybin is illegal.
Yes, magic mushrooms have been decriminalized in some cities across the United States, including Denver and Oakland. As of 2025, Oregon and Colorado are the only states that have legalized magic mushrooms. However, the legal status of magic mushrooms is constantly evolving as more research highlights their therapeutic benefits.
