John Miller
Magic mushrooms and peyote are hallucinogens that have been used by indigenous cultures for centuries in religious and cultural ceremonies. In recent times, they have been used recreationally. While the use of hallucinogens is not considered safe by healthcare providers, there is ongoing research into the possibility of using them as provider-supervised treatments for mental health conditions. In this context, the decriminalization of magic mushrooms and peyote has become a topic of discussion in various parts of the world, with some jurisdictions choosing to deprioritize or defund criminal law enforcement related to these substances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status in the US | Illegal for medical or recreational use, classified as a Schedule I drug. |
| Status in the Netherlands | Illegal, classified as a hard drug, but some psychoactive products containing psilocybin are legal. |
| Status in Nepal | Uncontrolled substance, not actively policed. |
| US cities that have decriminalized | Oakland, Denver, Santa Cruz, Ann Arbor, and more than a dozen other cities. |
| Effects | Hallucinations, vivid mental images, altered perception of space and time, distorted sense of body, loss of sense of reality, nausea, vomiting, lack of muscle coordination, weakness, euphoria, anxiety, panic, terror, psychosis. |
| Addiction | Possible to become addicted to peyote and mushrooms, but most people who struggle with addiction report different drugs of choice. |
| Medical use | Scientists are researching the possibility of using hallucinogens as provider-supervised treatments for mental health conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms and peyote decriminalized in Oakland, California
- Magic mushrooms and peyote use in Native American ceremonies
- Magic mushroom spores, magic truffles, and liquid peyote in the Netherlands
- Over a dozen US cities have deprioritized criminal enforcement of psychedelics
- Oregon's 2020 ballot initiative to decriminalize mushrooms
Magic mushrooms and peyote decriminalized in Oakland, California
On June 5, 2019, the city of Oakland, California, became the second U.S. city to decriminalize magic mushrooms and peyote, after Denver. The Oakland City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession and use of entheogenic, or psychoactive, plants and fungi.
The resolution presented by Oakland City Council member Noel Gallo stated that city money will not be used to enforce laws imposing criminal penalties for the use and possession of entheogenic plants by adults. It also directed law enforcement to stop investigating and prosecuting individuals for using or possessing drugs sourced from plants, cacti, and mushrooms that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin.
Prior to the vote, the council heard testimony from locals, most of whom shared stories of how using hallucinogens had helped them deal with depression, PTSD, anxiety, and addiction. Susana Eager Valadez, director of the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts, noted that indigenous cultures use hallucinogenic plants in a ritual way, not casually, and are guided by shamans and elders. She added that "it's the plants that are going to bring us back to sanity." However, not everyone supported the decriminalization. Michael Clarendon, a physician from Oakland, said that he had reviewed the medical literature and didn't believe it supported the broad use of hallucinogenic fungi.
The resolution also included suggestions for users, such as starting with very small amounts and seeking expert guidance. It is important to note that the resolution does not allow for the commercial sale or manufacturing of the mushrooms.
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Magic mushrooms and peyote use in Native American ceremonies
Magic mushrooms and peyote are both hallucinogenic substances that are considered illegal in the United States. However, in recent years, there have been efforts to decriminalize their use, particularly in the context of Native American ceremonial and spiritual practices.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are fungi that contain the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the United States, Mexico, and South America. While the mushrooms themselves are illegal and considered a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there has been a growing movement to decriminalize their use. Proponents argue that naturally occurring hallucinogens have been used by various cultures for spiritual and therapeutic purposes for centuries.
Peyote
Peyote, on the other hand, is a small, spineless cactus native to southern North America, particularly northern Mexico and southern Texas. It contains the psychoactive compound mescaline, which induces hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. Peyote has been used by indigenous peoples, including Native American tribes, for thousands of years as a sacred medicine and in religious ceremonies. While peyote is also classified as a Schedule I drug, its use in authentic Native American religious ceremonies is legally exempt in the United States and Canada. This exemption recognizes the cultural and spiritual significance of peyote within these communities.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward decriminalization, with cities like Oakland, California, and Denver, Colorado, removing penalties for possession and use of hallucinogenic substances, including magic mushrooms and peyote. These moves reflect a shift in perspective, acknowledging the long history of ceremonial and spiritual use of these substances by indigenous cultures.
The use of magic mushrooms and peyote in Native American ceremonies is deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality. For Native Americans, peyote is not viewed as a recreational drug but as a sacred medicine with healing properties. It is often ingested during all-night prayer ceremonies, where it is believed to connect individuals to God or enhance their spiritual and emotional experiences. Similarly, magic mushrooms are used in controlled rituals by indigenous cultures, where they are believed to have therapeutic and spiritual benefits.
While the decriminalization of these substances remains a complex issue, with concerns about their potential for abuse and adverse psychological effects, there is a growing recognition of the cultural significance of magic mushrooms and peyote within Native American communities. Researchers are also exploring the potential therapeutic applications of hallucinogens in supervised treatments for mental health conditions. As a result, the conversation around decriminalization is evolving, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of the role these substances play in Native American ceremonies and their potential benefits beyond recreational use.
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Magic mushroom spores, magic truffles, and liquid peyote in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, magic truffles are legal and can be purchased in ""smart shops" as a legal alternative to outlawed magic mushrooms. Magic truffles are the sclerotia of psilocybin mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemicals psilocybin and psilocin. While magic mushroom spores and liquid peyote are not explicitly mentioned in the sources, it is likely that they are illegal in the Netherlands due to the country's ban on magic mushrooms and strict regulations on psychedelic drugs.
Magic mushrooms, also known as hallucinogenic fungi, were decriminalized in Oakland, California, in 2019, making it the second US city to do so after Denver. This move directed law enforcement to stop investigating and prosecuting individuals for using or possessing drugs sourced from plants, cacti, and mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic substances. However, it is important to note that magic mushrooms are still classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the United States, making them illegal for medical or recreational use.
Peyote, a cactus native to the southwestern US and northern Mexico, is often used by Native Americans as part of their culture and religious ceremonies. While peyote is illegal in the US, there is limited information specifically about its legality in the Netherlands. However, given the country's ban on magic mushrooms and strict drug regulations, it is likely that liquid peyote would also be prohibited.
It is important to understand the risks associated with the use of magic mushrooms, peyote, and their derivatives. Hallucinogenic drugs can cause hallucinations, altered perception of reality, and changes in thoughts, feelings, and mood. While some people may experience positive effects or ""good trips," others may have negative experiences or "bad trips," including anxiety, panic, terror, or psychosis. Additionally, there is a risk of physical and mental health emergencies, especially for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions or those who ingest high doses of these substances.
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Over a dozen US cities have deprioritized criminal enforcement of psychedelics
Psychedelics, also known as hallucinogens, are a group of drugs that alter a person's perception of reality. They change a person's thoughts and feelings and can cause hallucinations. While nearly all hallucinogens are illegal, there is growing scientific research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. This has led to an increase in legal and political support for decriminalization.
In the United States, over a dozen cities have deprioritized or decriminalized the enforcement of laws against psychedelic plants and fungi, such as magic mushrooms. This trend is reflected in the introduction of over 60 bills related to psilocybin across two dozen states. Some cities that have taken steps to decriminalize psychedelics include:
- Oakland, California: In June 2019, Oakland became the second U.S. city to decriminalize magic mushrooms and peyote, after Denver. The city council voted unanimously to direct law enforcement to cease investigating and prosecuting individuals for using or possessing these substances.
- Seattle, Washington: In February 2022, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to decriminalize psychedelic drugs at the time. Residents voted to approve the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act in March 2020, which decriminalized natural psychedelics.
- Port Townsend, Washington: In December 2021, the city adopted a resolution requesting that investigating, arresting, and prosecuting adults for engaging in entheogen-related activities should be a low enforcement priority when done in a nonpublic place.
- Berkeley, California: In July 2023, Berkeley became the fifth city in California to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: In July 2023, the city decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi via a mayoral executive order.
While the decriminalization of psychedelics varies across different cities and states, it generally means that law enforcement will deprioritize investigating and prosecuting individuals for the use or possession of these substances. This shift in policy allows law enforcement to focus their attention and resources on other priorities that affect the general public.
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Oregon's 2020 ballot initiative to decriminalize mushrooms
In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the US to legalize psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms", with the passage of Measure 109. The measure was approved with 56.12% of the vote. Measure 109 allows regulated use of psychedelic mushrooms in a therapeutic setting. It establishes a two-year period for working out regulatory details, including the qualifications required of therapists overseeing the treatment. The measure was proposed by Thomas and Sheri Eckert, who were inspired by an article in the New Yorker highlighting the transformative effects of psychedelics on patients with various mental health conditions.
Measure 109 was part of Oregon's Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, which was on the November 2020 ballot. The initiative aimed to decriminalize the use of psilocybin by changing the penalty from a Class A misdemeanour with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $6,250 fine to a Class E violation with a maximum penalty of $100. Another measure on the ballot, Measure 110, decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs, including psychedelic mushrooms, and ramped up drug addiction treatment options.
Oregon's move to legalize psilocybin followed the decriminalization of the substance in multiple cities, including Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Ann Arbor. Proponents of decriminalization argue that naturally-occurring drugs such as mushrooms have been used by various cultures for hundreds of years for spiritual quests and to help battle psychiatric imbalances. However, critics argue that the ballot initiative bypasses professional standards and public safety measures, as the FDA approval process for psilocybin has not yet been completed.
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Frequently asked questions
At a federal level, the use, possession, and cultivation of peyote as part of religious ceremonies in Native American spiritual or religious contexts is legal, regardless of the user’s race. However, peyote is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that it has no legal medical use and is not legal for recreational use in the US. Over a dozen cities in the US have deprioritized or defunded criminal law enforcement and prosecution in connection with the use of psilocybin or other psychedelic compounds. Some of these cities include Oakland, Denver, Santa Cruz, and Ann Arbor.
Peyote triggers an increase in body temperature and heart rate, heavy sweating, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting, and lack of coordination. Hallucinations are common among users of peyote, as is a feeling of euphoria. Mushrooms can cause hallucinations, a loss of a sense of reality, an altered perception of space and time, and altered sensory perceptions.
Peyote is a cactus without spines that comes from the southwestern US and northern Mexico. The buttons that are removed from the crown of the peyote cactus are either chewed by the user or soaked in water, which is then swallowed. Psilocybin mushrooms are certain types of mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of the United States, Mexico, and South America. They usually contain less than 0.5% psilocybin plus trace amounts of psilocin, another hallucinogenic substance.
