Mushroom Laws In Washington State: What's The Verdict?

While magic mushrooms are illegal in Washington State, there is a growing body of research that points to psilocybin, the psychoactive element in the mushrooms, as a treatment for depression, addiction, and other mental health ailments. This has led to a push for legalization, with the state of Oregon, which borders Washington to the south, decriminalizing possession for personal use and legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use. Washington State is also home to a growing number of psilocybin advocates who are pushing for various drug law reforms, with some cities in the state, such as Seattle, Port Townsend, and Olympia, having already decriminalized psychedelics.

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Magic mushrooms are illegal in Washington State

Psilocybin, the psychoactive element in magic mushrooms, has been granted "breakthrough therapy" status by the FDA, which has opened the door for expedited study of the drug. A growing body of research points to psilocybin as a potential treatment for depression, addiction, and other mental health ailments.

In February 2021, a bill was introduced to the Washington State House Legislature that would have made personal use of any drug legal at the state level, including Schedule 1 drugs like psilocybin. While this bill did not pass, it indicates a shift in public opinion and policy regarding psychedelic drugs.

In August 2024, the Olympia City Council in Washington State declared that entheogens/psilocybin-related investigations, arrests, and prosecutions would be the lowest priority for law enforcement, effectively decriminalizing some psychedelic drugs like mushrooms within city limits. The goal of this decision is to give people who may use these drugs to combat mental health issues the space to do so without legal repercussions.

While magic mushrooms remain illegal in Washington State, the tide may be turning as more and more municipalities and states push for decriminalization and legalization of psilocybin for therapeutic use.

Spores are legal, but cultivating is illegal

While magic mushrooms are illegal in Washington State, mushroom spores are legal to possess and purchase. However, it is important to note that cultivating these spores into mature mushrooms is illegal. This means that while you can legally obtain and examine spores under a microscope, germinating them is considered unlawful.

The legality of mushroom spores can be a bit confusing, as they occupy a grey area in Washington State's legislation. While it is legal to possess and purchase spores, the law restricts their usage to microscopy purposes only. This means that while you can legally have spores and even buy them online, using them for anything other than microscopic observation is prohibited.

The reason for this legal loophole is that spores do not contain psilocybin or psilocin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compounds found in mature magic mushrooms. Since spores are considered non-psychoactive, they fall outside the scope of controlled substances in Washington State. However, the law draws a clear line at cultivation, making it illegal to grow these spores into mature mushrooms that could produce psychoactive effects.

Despite the current illegality of cultivating magic mushrooms in Washington State, there is a growing movement advocating for reform. Proponents of mushroom-related law reform argue that psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in mushrooms, has significant therapeutic potential in treating various mental health ailments, including depression, addiction, and PTSD. This push for reform has gained traction in some cities within Washington State, such as Seattle, Port Townsend, and Olympia, which have already taken steps toward decriminalizing entheogens and psilocybin-related substances.

While the future of mushroom-related laws in Washington State remains uncertain, the current legal situation clearly distinguishes between the legality of possessing spores and the illegality of cultivating them into mature, psychoactive mushrooms.

Therapeutic benefits of psilocybin

While psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in "magic mushrooms", is illegal in Washington State, the state is preparing for a legalized future. In 2021, a bill was introduced to the state House Legislature to make personal use of any drug legal at the state level, including psilocybin. The therapeutic benefits of psilocybin are being increasingly recognised.

Psilocybin has been used by indigenous peoples in parts of Mexico and Central America for thousands of years as part of a sacred and ancient tradition. Psilocybin is a chemical that comes from certain types of mushrooms. When people take psilocybin, their bodies convert it to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties similar to LSD. The effects of taking psilocybin are unpredictable and vary from person to person. At certain doses, psilocybin can alter moods, thoughts, and perceptions.

A growing body of research points to psilocybin as a treatment for depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health ailments. Clinical trials have found that psilocybin can produce substantial and sustained personal meaning, helping to treat depression and anxiety, and easing existential distress caused by life-threatening diseases. In 2019, the FDA granted psilocybin "breakthrough therapy" status, underscoring its safety profile and minimal adverse effects.

Research has also shown that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can rapidly reduce symptoms of depression within a short time frame, with benefits lasting for several weeks. One study found that psilocybin treatment combined with psychological support reduced depression symptoms for up to 5 weeks, and another study in 2023 found that single-dose psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy reduced symptoms of depression within 8 days, with benefits lasting for 6 weeks.

Psilocybin has also been found to extend the cellular lifespan and improve the survival of aged mice, suggesting that it may have a positive impact on systemic aging processes. Human studies have demonstrated that a single dose of psilocybin can improve debilitating physical and psychological symptoms with durable effects of up to 5 years.

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Decriminalisation efforts in Washington

While "magic mushrooms" are illegal in Washington state, there is a growing movement to decriminalize their use. In February 2021, a bill was introduced to the state House Legislature to make personal use of any drug legal at the state level, including Schedule 1 drugs like psilocybin. This effort is being led by a growing number of psilocybin advocates who are pushing for drug law reforms.

In addition to statewide efforts, there have also been city-level initiatives to decriminalize magic mushrooms in Washington. For example, in February 2021, a grassroots campaign called Decriminalize Spokane introduced an initiative to decriminalize personal possession of up to 6 ounces of dried mushrooms for people over 21. If organizers collect enough signatures, citizens of Spokane may be able to vote on the initiative.

Seattle, Washington's largest city, joined the list of cities decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms in October 2021. This move was inspired by the efforts in Oakland, California, which became one of the first US cities to decriminalize psilocybin in 2019. Port Townsend, a city in Washington, has also decriminalized mushrooms, and its residents worry about the potential commercialization of psychedelic medicine, which they believe should remain accessible to all.

In August 2024, the City Council in Olympia, Washington, decriminalized plant-based hallucinogens, including psilocybin mushrooms, making it no longer a priority for law enforcement. Similarly, in January 2025, the City Council in Tacoma, Washington, decriminalized natural psychedelics containing tryptamines, phenethylamines, and indolamines. These efforts come as doctors and researchers are finding that psilocybin can help treat severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.

Despite these decriminalization efforts, creating a statewide framework for legalization in Washington has faced challenges due to conflicting visions, concerns about cost and equity, and worries about the involvement of pharmaceutical companies. However, with ongoing clinical trials and a growing network of advocates, Washington may be on the path towards a legalized future for psilocybin mushrooms.

Psilocybin advocates in Washington

While psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in Washington State, there is a growing movement of advocates and activists pushing for their decriminalization and legalization for therapeutic use. This movement is fuelled by a body of research that suggests psilocybin, the psychoactive element in the mushrooms, can effectively treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health ailments.

In 2021, a bill was introduced to the Washington State House Legislature to decriminalize personal use of any drug, including psilocybin. However, this effort stalled. Despite this setback, advocates continue to push for change. The group Adapt Washington, for example, has proposed a ballot initiative that would legalize psilocybin for individuals over 21, allowing supervised sessions with trained facilitators or medical providers.

In addition to statewide efforts, there are also local initiatives. In Spokane, a grassroots campaign called Decriminalize Spokane aims to decriminalize personal possession of up to 6 ounces of dried mushrooms for adults over 21. Cities across Western Washington have also passed resolutions decriminalizing psilocybin.

The Washington Psilocybin Task Force, which included doctors, nurses, social workers, and state officials, was formed to update lawmakers on the latest clinical research on psilocybin and evaluate the path to regulating its clinical use. Their work reflects the growing recognition of psilocybin's therapeutic potential.

While there are concerns about cost, equity, and the potential influence of pharmaceutical companies, Washington is preparing for a legalized future. The state legislature has mandated that the University of Washington's Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department study the effects of psilocybin on the mind, with a focus on patients with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. This research will help inform the state's approach to psilocybin as it moves towards a therapeutic revolution.

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