Laura Smith
As of 2025, Arizona has yet to pass any law or receive FDA approval to legalize or decriminalize magic mushrooms or any products containing psilocybin. In June 2024, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have allowed psilocybin treatment and testing in the state. However, funding for clinical psilocybin research was preserved in the state budget, and Arizona lawmakers took steps in May 2025 to legalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms in controlled circumstances for mental health treatment. While the possession of magic mushrooms is considered a felony offense in Arizona, the state is exploring therapeutic uses, and clinical trials are underway to study the potential benefits of psilocybin in treating various medical conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of the Arizona mushroom law | As of 2024, magic mushrooms are illegal in Arizona and classified as a felony. However, lawmakers have taken initial steps towards legalizing psychedelic mushrooms for controlled therapeutic use. |
| Legislative History | In 2024, a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy in Arizona was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. Despite this, funding for clinical research on psilocybin has been allocated and preserved in the state budget. |
| Public Opinion | There is bipartisan support for the legalization of psychedelic mushrooms in Arizona, with Republican and Democratic senators advancing SB 1570 towards legalization for mental health treatment. |
| Clinical Research | Arizona has approved funding for clinical trials on psilocybin's potential to treat various disorders and diseases. Dr. Sue Sisley has a federal license to grow organic mushrooms for these trials. |
| Legal Consequences | Possession of magic mushrooms in Arizona is a felony offense, carrying potential jail time and other consequences for employment, licensing, and housing opportunities. |
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What You'll Learn
Arizona's stance on magic mushrooms
Arizona has a zero-tolerance stance on magic mushrooms, and their possession is considered a felony offense. If caught with these mushrooms, individuals may face serious legal consequences, including jail time, fines, and a negative impact on their employment and housing prospects.
In recent years, there have been efforts to legalize or decriminalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms in Arizona for medical purposes, particularly in controlled clinical settings for mental health treatment. In 2024, a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy was passed by the Arizona Senate but was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. Despite this setback, over $5 million in funding was allocated for clinical trials involving psilocybin, indicating a potential shift in the state's stance on psychedelic mushrooms.
The push for legalization has been driven by the promising therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, addiction, OCD, and other conditions. Proponents of legalization argue that it could provide much-needed treatment options for those struggling with mental health issues, including first responders and veterans who have a higher risk of suicide.
While Arizona has not passed any law or received FDA approval for legalizing or decriminalizing magic mushrooms, the state is taking steps towards exploring therapeutic uses. The unanimous vote by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services in May 2025 indicates a bipartisan effort to legalize psychedelic mushrooms under controlled circumstances for mental health treatment.
As of 2025, Arizona maintains its strict stance on the possession and use of magic mushrooms, but the ongoing legislative efforts and clinical trials suggest a potential evolution in the state's approach to psychedelic mushrooms in the future.
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Psilocybin therapy bill vetoed
In June 2024, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have allowed psilocybin therapy and testing in the state. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator T.J. Shope, was known as Senate Bill 1570 and aimed to legalise the medical use of psychedelic mushrooms for "mental health treatment". Despite the veto, the state preserved funding for clinical psilocybin research in the Arizona state budget, allocating $5 million for clinical trials involving the drug.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, is currently illegal in Arizona and is considered a felony offence. Possession of even a minor amount can result in serious legal consequences, including jail time. However, it is important to note that simply having mushroom spores attached to clothing or skin is not illegal. The illegality arises when there is intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which falls under "manufacturing a controlled substance".
The push for the legalisation of psilocybin therapy in Arizona stems from its potential benefits in treating mental health conditions. Proponents of the bill highlight the promising therapeutic effects of psilocybin in addressing issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, addiction, OCD, and other mental health struggles. The bipartisan support for the bill indicates that there is a recognition of the potential value of psilocybin in mental health treatment.
While the bill did not pass, Arizona continues to explore the therapeutic uses of psilocybin through clinical trials. The state is accepting applications for research on the potential of psilocybin to treat various disorders and diseases. This includes studies at the Scottsdale Research Institute and the University of Arizona. The research mandate includes comprehensive annual reports evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and safety protocols of psilocybin-assisted therapy. These reports will play a crucial role in shaping future policies and ensuring safe and accessible treatment options for eligible adults.
The veto of the psilocybin therapy bill in Arizona reflects the complex legal landscape surrounding psychedelic substances. While some states, like Colorado and Oregon, have legalised the therapeutic use of psilocybin, Arizona has maintained its stance on the illegality of magic mushrooms. However, with growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin and increasing bipartisan support, it is possible that Arizona may continue to take steps towards legalisation or decriminalisation in the future.
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Clinical research funding
Arizona's first state-funded clinical trial of psilocybin mushrooms, conducted by the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI), is in danger of losing funding. The $5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) was awarded on February 21, 2024, to study the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on people with life-threatening illnesses. However, the grant stipulates that reimbursement will end on June 30, 2024, with the current state budget, and funding is unlikely to continue in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The SRI study is a triple-blind trial with 24 participants, half of whom will receive an active dose of 2.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Notably, it will be the first study to research the effects of whole psilocybin mushrooms rather than synthetic molecules. Another portion of the grant was awarded to the University of Arizona College of Medicine to examine psilocybin mushrooms as a treatment for severe OCD.
While the future of this specific study is uncertain, Arizona lawmakers have taken steps to further explore the therapeutic uses of psilocybin. In 2025, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously voted to legalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms in controlled circumstances for clinical treatment. This move is in line with the state's previous initiatives to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational purposes.
Additionally, the Arizona legislature has appropriated $5 million in FY 2024 for competitive research grants to conduct phase one, two, and three clinical trials on whole mushroom psilocybin. These trials aim to evaluate the treatment potential for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, chronic pain, and seizure disorders. The grant program is overseen by the Psilocybin Research Advisory Council, which establishes criteria for clinical trials and grantees.
The state's interest in funding clinical research on psilocybin reflects a growing recognition of its potential therapeutic benefits. While the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms in Arizona is still a work in progress, the allocation of funds for clinical trials indicates a shift towards exploring innovative treatments for mental health conditions and other medical issues.
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Controlled circumstances for use
Arizona has taken a hard line against the use of psychedelic mushrooms, with possession of the drug considered a felony. However, the state has recently taken steps towards legalizing the drug for therapeutic use under controlled circumstances.
In June 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have allowed psilocybin treatment and testing in the state. Despite this setback, there is still a push for legalization, with lawmakers taking the first steps towards allowing the use of psychedelic mushrooms in controlled settings.
Sen. T.J. Shope's Senate Bill 1570 aims to provide treatment in a clinical setting for those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. This bill is not a legalization effort but rather a way to create a pathway for the drug to be used in a medical context.
While the future of psychedelic mushroom legalization in Arizona is uncertain, the state has allocated funding for clinical research on psilocybin. This includes funding for clinical trials at the Scottsdale Research Institute and the University of Arizona.
It is worth noting that even if psychedelic mushrooms were to be legalized for therapeutic use in Arizona, it would likely be under strict guidelines and require a special license for administration in a medicinal setting.
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Potential for decriminalisation
As of 2025, magic mushrooms are illegal in Arizona and classified as a felony. However, there is a growing movement and potential for decriminalisation.
In June 2024, a bill that would have allowed psilocybin treatment and testing in the state was passed by the Arizona senate, but it was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. Despite this setback, there is still a push for decriminalisation, with lawmakers taking steps to legalise the use of psychedelic mushrooms under controlled circumstances. This includes Republican Senator T.J. Shope's Senate Bill 1570, which aims to legalise the medical use of psychedelic mushrooms for mental health treatment. The bill has received bipartisan support, indicating that state-level psilocybin legislation is likely to advance in the coming years.
The potential benefits of psilocybin have been recognised by public health officials, who have pointed to the promising business outlook as well. Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, testified that SB 1570 could be a first step in creating a larger industry for the future. He suggested that once Arizonans become comfortable with clinical use, another law could decriminalise the mushrooms.
In addition to legislative efforts, Arizona is also funding clinical research into the therapeutic use of psilocybin. More than $5 million has been allocated for clinical trials involving psilocybin, with the Scottsdale Research Institute and the University of Arizona participating. These trials will evaluate psilocybin's therapeutic efficacy and safety protocols, with the goal of shaping evidence-based policies and ensuring safe and accessible psilocybin-assisted therapy for eligible adults.
While the possession of magic mushrooms remains illegal in Arizona, the state's exploration of therapeutic uses and funding for clinical research indicate a potential shift towards decriminalisation in the future. The growing support for psilocybin-assisted therapy and the recognition of its potential benefits suggest that Arizona may be on a path towards decriminalisation, similar to the steps taken by states like Colorado and Oregon.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of 2025, magic mushrooms are illegal in Arizona and classified as a felony. However, lawmakers have taken the first steps to legalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms under controlled circumstances.
Possession of magic mushrooms in Arizona is considered a felony offense and can result in serious jail time. A first-time offense can lead to up to two years in jail, while repeat offenders may face longer sentences and higher fines.
While a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy in Arizona was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs in 2024, the state has allocated funding for clinical research into the therapeutic use of magic mushrooms. Lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 1570, which aims to legalize the medical use of psychedelic mushrooms for mental health treatment.
Proponents of legalization argue that magic mushrooms have promising benefits for mental health treatment, particularly for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. Additionally, the legalization of magic mushrooms could create a new industry and economic opportunities for the state.
