Michael Davis
As of 2024, psychedelic mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are illegal in Missouri, with use, sale, or cultivation resulting in penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment. However, there is a growing movement in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin, the substance found in psychedelic mushrooms, for therapeutic use. As of 2025, a few states have legalized or decriminalized psilocybin, and Missouri is considering a bill to legalize its use for military veterans and adults over the age of 21 for therapeutic purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Psilocybin status in Missouri | Illegal |
| Psilocybin status under federal law | Illegal |
| Missouri bill to legalize psilocybin for veterans | Passed by the House Veterans Committee in March 2024 |
| Missouri bill to legalize psilocybin for adults 21 and older | Proposed by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder in 2024, cleared a Senate committee in February 2024 |
| Missouri bill to legalize psilocybin in a therapeutic setting | Proposed by Rep. Tony Lovasco in 2023, blocked by other lawmakers |
| Penalty for psychedelic mushroom use, sale, or cultivation in Missouri | Felony, with penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment |
| Psilocybin classification in Missouri | Schedule I controlled substance |
| Legality of psilocybin spores in Missouri | Legal, even for sale |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybin is a Schedule I controlled substance
In the state of Missouri, psychedelic mushrooms are illegal, and their use, sale, or cultivation is considered a felony. Missouri's MO Rev Stat § 195.017 lists psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, which are deemed the most dangerous. However, there are ongoing efforts to reform Missouri's laws concerning psychedelic mushrooms. A bill has been introduced in the Missouri Senate that would legalise psilocybin for veterans and adults over the age of 21, removing penalties for various subsets of people who use, produce, possess, transfer, or administer the substance. This bill has gained support from lawmakers and passed through committees in the House and Senate.
The movement to decriminalise and legalise psilocybin has been gaining momentum across the United States, with a growing number of states pursuing psychedelics reform legislation. As of 2025, Oregon and Colorado have led the way by decriminalising psilocybin and establishing state-regulated programs for its use. Other states, such as Vermont, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Mexico, are also considering or implementing similar measures to legalise or decriminalise psilocybin for therapeutic use.
The push for reform is driven by increasing research into the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and other psychedelics, as well as changing attitudes towards their use. Proponents of decriminalisation cite evidence suggesting that psilocybin is non-addictive and leads to fewer emergency visits compared to other illegal drugs. Additionally, psilocybin has shown potential in treating treatment-resistant depression and nicotine dependence. However, opinions on psilocybin-assisted therapy remain divided, and further research is needed to clarify its safe use.
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Missouri bill could lift penalties for veterans and adults
Missouri is one of several states pursuing psychedelics reform legislation, with a focus on research and therapeutic access. Missouri State Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Cape Girardeau) introduced SB 768, a bill that would legalize psilocybin, a drug known as magic mushrooms, for veterans and adults 21 and older. The bill would lift penalties for those who use, produce, possess, transfer, or administer psilocybin. It specifically aims to help veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder.
The bill builds on previous efforts to legalize psilocybin in Missouri. State Rep. Aaron McMullen (R-Independence), a veteran himself, has been pushing for legislation to study psilocybin for several years. His bill, HB 1830, seeks to legalize the drug for anyone suffering from PTSD, major depressive disorder, substance use disorder, or requiring end-of-life care. Additionally, Missouri State Rep. Tony Lovasco (R-O'Fallon) sponsored a bill to legalize psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, but it was blocked by other lawmakers.
Rehder's bill, SB 768, cleared a Senate committee in late February 2024, while McMullen's bill, HB 1830, cleared a House committee in March 2024. The House Veterans Committee passed McMullen's legislation with amendments to align it with the Senate version. The Senate version, as amended, would allow military veterans 21 and older with qualifying conditions such as PTSD or substance use disorders to legally access laboratory-tested psilocybin. Participants would need to be enrolled or seeking enrollment in a study involving the psychedelic to receive legal protections.
The Missouri bills reflect a growing trend toward psychedelics reform across the United States. States like Vermont, Arizona, New Mexico, Connecticut, Illinois, Alaska, and Hawaii are all considering or have passed legislation related to the legalization or decriminalization of psilocybin and other psychedelics for therapeutic use. While psilocybin remains illegal under federal law, classified as a Schedule I substance, state-level reforms are driving changes in legislation, and research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics is contributing to a shift in attitudes and evidence.
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Spores are legal in Missouri, even for sale
Missouri has a stringent stance on drug policies, and psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in the state. Possession and use of psychedelic mushrooms are considered a Class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope for reform, as a bill (HB 1176) was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives to permit terminally ill patients to use investigative drugs, such as mushrooms, as a last resort. Although this particular bill did not pass, it indicates a potential shift in attitudes towards psychedelic mushrooms in the state.
While psychedelic mushrooms themselves are prohibited in Missouri, the legality of their spores is more nuanced. Spores are the building blocks of mushrooms, and they do not contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. As a result, mushroom spores are not explicitly illegal in most states, including Missouri. However, it is important to exercise caution when dealing with spores, as possessing them could be interpreted as an intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which is illegal and punishable under state or federal law.
In Missouri, spores are legal, and they can even be purchased. However, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with their possession. Law enforcement officials may suspect individuals with spores of intending to cultivate psychedelic mushrooms, which is illegal. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious and well-informed about the legal implications before acquiring or possessing mushroom spores in Missouri.
The legality of mushroom spores exists in a grey area. While they are not illegal to possess, their legality ends at germination. Once the spores begin to grow and develop into mushrooms containing psilocybin, they become illegal. This transformation from legal to illegal occurs during the cultivation process, and it is important to recognize that cultivating psychedelic mushrooms is a criminal offence.
Although spores are legal in Missouri, it is always a good idea to stay updated on the latest legal developments and consult official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the legality of mushroom spores in your specific location.
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Psilocybin is illegal under federal law
Psilocybin, the substance found in psychedelic mushrooms, is illegal under federal law in the United States. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which means that it is deemed to have no medicinal benefit and a high potential for abuse and addiction. The federal law that specifically banned psilocybin was enacted on October 24, 1968, and the substance was classified as a Schedule I drug on October 27, 1970. This federal regulation prohibits the possession and use of psilocybin, which often carries severe legal penalties, including large fines and prison sentences.
While psilocybin is illegal at the federal level, state laws vary, and in some states, psilocybin has been decriminalized or legalized for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. For example, Oregon and Colorado have both decriminalized psilocybin and legalized its supervised use. In addition, a growing number of states are pursuing psychedelics reform legislation, focusing on research and therapeutic access. Missouri, for instance, has approved a bill to legalize the medical use of psilocybin by military veterans and fund studies exploring its therapeutic potential.
The possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, which do not contain the Schedule I controlled substance psilocybin, is not technically illegal in many areas. However, possessing these spores could be considered illegal paraphernalia or an intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which can be punishable under state or federal law. The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is further complicated by the ambiguity in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, as well as selective enforcement in some places.
Worldwide, the legal status of psilocybin varies, with some countries like Peru and Bolivia legalizing it, while others like Russia, India, and South Africa have made it illegal. In countries such as Canada, Australia, and Denmark, psilocybin is legal for medicinal use. The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin for any use beyond medical and scientific research under strictly controlled conditions. However, due to pressure from the Mexican government, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention.
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Decriminalization efforts are gaining momentum
While psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in Missouri, there have been recent legislative initiatives that indicate a potential shift in their legal status. State Representative Tony Lovasco has spearheaded efforts to decriminalize psychedelic substances for individuals with terminal illnesses. This movement aligns with broader trends in states like Oregon and Colorado, which have taken steps towards legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use.
The push for decriminalization is driven by several factors. Firstly, there is increasing scientific research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. This research challenges the federal classification of psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance with ""no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." By decriminalizing psilocybin, law enforcement resources can be redirected from policing private psychedelic usage to addressing more pressing issues affecting public safety.
Additionally, the rapid legalization of cannabis in the United States has set a precedent for reevaluating the legal status of other substances. Grassroots movements in Oregon and Denver, Colorado, played a pivotal role in advocating for the decriminalization of psilocybin. In May 2019, Denver became the first city in the nation to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms through a ballot initiative. This was followed by Oregon, which legalized the supervised adult use of psilocybin and decriminalized it through voter-approved measures in November 2020.
The momentum for decriminalization extends beyond Missouri and individual states. In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which decriminalized psilocybin drugs, including magic mushrooms. Several cities in Massachusetts, such as Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton, also voted to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants and psilocybin mushrooms. These collective efforts signal a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics and a shift in public perception.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in Missouri. However, a bill was introduced in the same year to legalize psilocybin for veterans and adults over 21.
The use, sale, or cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms in Missouri is considered a felony. Penalties can range from heavy fines to imprisonment.
Yes, there are ongoing efforts to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in Missouri. In 2024, a bill was introduced to legalize psilocybin for veterans and adults over the age of 21. This bill has gained support and progressed through the legislative process, indicating a potential shift in the state's legal approach to psychedelic mushrooms.
