Sarah Brown
Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States. Schedule I drugs are considered to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and a lack of safety profile for use under medical supervision. While psilocybin mushrooms are currently classified as Schedule I, there have been efforts to reclassify them due to their potential therapeutic benefits. Some jurisdictions have also enacted laws to decriminalize or allow the use of psilocybin mushrooms for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. Despite their historical and cultural use, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies across different countries and jurisdictions, with ongoing debates and research surrounding their classification and potential benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classification | Schedule I drug |
| Other Names | Magic mushrooms, Psilocybin |
| Effects | Hallucinogenic properties |
| Medical Use | No currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S. |
| Safety | Lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision |
| Abuse Potential | High potential for abuse |
| Legality | Illegal for anything outside of research |
| Prescription | No prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances |
| Regulatory Restrictions | Most regulatory restrictions on research, supply, and access |
| Reclassification | Researchers suggest reclassification to Schedule IV if phase III clinical trials are successful |
| Therapeutic Benefits | Recognized for potential healing benefits in therapeutic settings |
| State Laws | Ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in various state laws |
| Spores | Legal to sell and possess in some jurisdictions, specifically prohibited in others |
| Cultivation | Considered drug manufacture and often severely penalized |
| Decriminalization | Some jurisdictions have decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybin mushrooms are Schedule I drugs due to their hallucinogenic properties
- Magic mushrooms have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use
- Psilocybin has gained recognition for its potential healing benefits in therapeutic settings
- The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide
- Some US states have decriminalised psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms are Schedule I drugs due to their hallucinogenic properties
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are currently classified as Schedule I drugs in the United States. Schedule I drugs are those that have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), psilocybin falls under this category due to its hallucinogenic properties.
The classification of psilocybin mushrooms as Schedule I drugs means that they are considered illegal for anything outside of research. While the mushrooms themselves are not specifically regulated by UN treaties, the drug psilocybin is listed as a Schedule I substance under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This international treaty establishes a framework for controlling and regulating psychoactive substances across member states.
Despite being classified as a Schedule I drug, psilocybin mushrooms have been used for medicinal and religious purposes in various cultures throughout history. Researchers have also found that psilocybin has a significantly lower potential for abuse compared to other Schedule I drugs. As a result, there have been efforts to reclassify psilocybin to a lower schedule. Johns Hopkins researchers suggest that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, similar to prescription sleep aids but with tighter control.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is evolving, with some jurisdictions taking steps towards decriminalization and medical use. For example, in 2020, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act, allowing the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. Similarly, the Canadian province of Alberta has allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. These changes in local and global drug policies continue to shape the future of psilocybin mushrooms' legal status.
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Magic mushrooms have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are currently classified as a Schedule I drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Schedule I drugs are those that have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S., and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. According to federal law, no prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances, and they are not readily available for clinical use.
While magic mushrooms have been used medicinally and religiously in dozens of cultures throughout history, and have a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs, they are currently illegal in the United States. The DEA's classification of psilocybin as a Schedule I drug means that it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification carries significant regulatory restrictions on research, supply, and access.
However, there has been a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin when used in a controlled setting. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have suggested that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, similar to prescription sleep aids, but with tighter control. This reclassification would acknowledge the potential medical benefits of psilocybin while still maintaining strict control over its use.
The push for reclassification is further supported by the fact that many U.S. states have decriminalized or legalized the use of magic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. For example, in 2020, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act, which allows for the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. Additionally, in 2022, Colorado became the second U.S. state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and Australia approved psilocybin for use in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. These changes in state and global drug policies challenge the existing federal classification of psilocybin as a Schedule I drug and may influence future drug policy decisions.
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Psilocybin has gained recognition for its potential healing benefits in therapeutic settings
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in 'magic mushrooms', has been classified as a Schedule I substance due to its high abuse potentiality. However, it has gained recognition for its potential healing benefits in therapeutic settings.
Research has demonstrated the safety of psilocybin in regulated spaces facilitated by medical professionals. For example, it has been shown to reduce anxiety in cancer patients and facilitate smoking cessation. In addition, psilocybin has been found to help with breaking out of habits, with promising results in treating alcohol and tobacco dependence. An online survey of over 300 people with Alcohol Use Disorder reported reducing or abstaining from alcohol use after taking psilocybin.
Psilocybin has also been studied for its antidepressant effects, with promising results. A study conducted at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center found that psilocybin treatment produced large decreases in depression, with severity remaining low for up to a year after treatment. These findings add to the growing evidence that psilocybin-assisted therapy, when combined with supportive psychotherapy, can lead to significant and long-lasting improvements in depression.
Furthermore, psilocybin has been used by indigenous peoples of Central and South America for centuries in ceremonial settings to promote spiritual experiences. It was also a focus in psychiatry in the middle of the 20th century as an experimental medicine and a tool for studying brain function.
While psilocybin has shown potential therapeutic benefits, it is not without risks. Adverse effects such as self-harm and deteriorating manic symptoms have been reported in some cases. Therefore, it is crucial that psilocybin be administered in a controlled medical setting under the supervision of trained professionals.
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The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide
In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores, which do not contain psilocybin or psilocin, are legal to possess and sell, while in others, they are banned due to their use in drug manufacture. For example, Germany and several US states, including California, Georgia, and Idaho, have specifically criminalized the possession and sale of psilocybin mushroom spores. The cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is often considered drug manufacture and can be severely penalized.
There have been efforts to reclassify psilocybin mushrooms due to their potential therapeutic benefits. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have suggested that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule IV drug, similar to prescription sleep aids but with tighter control. The potential benefits of psilocybin have gained recognition in the United States, and it is being studied for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In recent years, there have been some changes in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in certain jurisdictions. For example, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act in 2020, allowing the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes, and Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Australia has also approved the use of psilocybin in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. These developments indicate a shift in the perception of psilocybin mushrooms and their potential therapeutic value.
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Some US states have decriminalised psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are currently listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the US Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Schedule I drugs are defined as substances with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical uses. Psilocybin mushrooms are also regulated by the US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978.
Despite federal classification, there has been a growing movement to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms in some US states and cities. This movement has been influenced by the rapid legalisation of cannabis and the increasing scientific research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. As of 2025, a few US states and cities have successfully decriminalised psilocybin mushrooms to varying degrees.
In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed Initiative 81, also known as the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which came into effect in March 2021. This initiative decriminalised psilocybin drugs, including magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, and mescaline, making arrests for their possession or use the lowest priority for DC police.
Following the lead of Washington, D.C., several cities in Massachusetts, including Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton, also decriminalised psilocybin mushrooms in early 2021. Seattle, Washington, became the largest US city to decriminalise psilocybin in October 2021, followed by Detroit, Michigan, in November of the same year.
In 2024, Oregon became the first state to decriminalise psilocybin and legalise its supervised use. However, much of the measure was repealed in the same year, effectively recriminalising the substance. As of January 2023, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms.
While the decriminalisation movement has gained momentum, it is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal under federal law and most national drug laws. Additionally, there is still ongoing research and debate regarding the potential risks and benefits of psilocybin use, with some researchers emphasising the need for tight control and administration in healthcare settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin, also known as "magic mushrooms", is currently classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical use.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a substance is classified as Schedule I if it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S., and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
Other drugs that are classified as Schedule I substances include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana.
Yes, there have been efforts to reclassify psilocybin from a Schedule I to a Schedule IV drug. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have suggested that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug with tighter control.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies internationally. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit or restrict the use of the drug. However, many countries have their own regulations or prohibitions, such as the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Some jurisdictions have also specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, while others allow it as the spores do not contain the drugs themselves.
