Emily Johnson
While psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in Washington, there is a growing movement to decriminalize them. Psilocybe washingtonensis, a species of psilocybin mushroom, grows in the wild in Washington. The state is also home to a growing number of psilocybin advocates who are pushing for drug law reforms. Cities like Seattle, Port Townsend, and Jefferson County have already decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms, and statewide efforts to legalize them are underway. The push for decriminalization is driven by the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in treating mental health ailments, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, concerns about cost, equity, and the potential for pharmaceutical companies to monopolize access to natural medicine have created challenges in the legalization process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality in Washington | Illegal, but decriminalized in cities like Seattle, Port Townsend, and Jefferson County. |
| Therapeutic Use | There is growing research supporting the use of psilocybin in treating depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and other mental health ailments. |
| Advocacy | There is a growing number of psilocybin advocates in Washington pushing for drug law reforms and decriminalization. |
| Species | Psilocybe washingtonensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom native to Washington. |
| Physical Characteristics | The cap is obtusely conic to convex, 1-2 cm in diameter, with a deep brown center and darker brown margin. The gills are short and do not extend completely from the stem to the cap edge. The stem is 3-5 cm long and 1.5-2.5 mm thick, attached to decaying conifer wood by a grayish mat of mycelium. |
| Spores | The spore print is purple-brown, and the spores are ellipsoid to slightly egg-shaped, smooth, measuring 6.3-7.5 by 3.8-4.5 μm. |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybin mushrooms grow in abundance in Washington's forests
- Washington cities are decriminalising magic mushrooms
- Doctors and researchers are finding psilocybin can help treat severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction
- A Washington doctor has petitioned to have psilocybin reclassified from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug
- Psilocybe washingtonensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms grow in abundance in Washington's forests
Psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are indeed known to grow in abundance in Washington's forests. In fact, the Pacific Northwest is known as a mushroom haven, with a variety of psychedelic mushrooms growing naturally and abundantly.
While the use and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms are currently illegal in Washington, there is a growing movement to decriminalize and legalize their use for therapeutic purposes. Several cities in Washington, including Seattle, Port Townsend, and Jefferson County, have already decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms. This means that while the use of mushrooms is still technically illegal, it is not a felony, and law enforcement will not actively pursue charges for possession or use.
The push for decriminalization is driven in part by the growing body of research that suggests psilocybin can be an effective treatment for mental health ailments such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, there is a belief among psychedelic societies that psilocybin can help individuals reconnect with themselves, others, and nature.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history in certain cultures and religions, and some advocates worry that pharmaceutical companies will take control of this natural medicine, making it inaccessible to those who need it. As a result, there is a push for decriminalization to ensure that psilocybin remains a communal medicine that is accessible to all.
One species of psilocybin mushroom that is known to grow in Washington is Psilocybe washingtonensis, first described by mycologist Alexander H. Smith in 1946 after collecting a specimen in Olympic National Park. This species grows on decaying conifer wood in forests and can be identified by its brown cap, which is 0.4-0.8 inches in diameter, and its stem, which is 1.2-2.0 inches long and attached to its substrate by a grayish mat of mycelium.
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Washington cities are decriminalising magic mushrooms
Washington cities are at the forefront of decriminalising magic mushrooms, with Seattle, Port Townsend, and Olympia leading the way. In a move that could signal a psychedelic "renaissance", these cities are challenging the longstanding prohibition on psilocybin, the primary psychedelic compound in mushrooms.
The push for decriminalisation comes amid growing recognition of the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. Clinical trials have indicated that supervised psilocybin use can effectively treat severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. This has spurred cities like Seattle to authorise medical trials, allocating $1.4 million for a pilot program including 30 to 40 military veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress and alcohol use disorders.
Advocates for decriminalisation argue that mushrooms, which have a long history in certain cultures and religions, can play a role in addressing the mental health crisis. They emphasise the importance of community access and education to ensure safe usage. However, efforts towards statewide legalisation in Washington have faced obstacles due to concerns about cost, equity, and potential pharmaceutical industry control.
While the federal inaction around drug decriminalisation and partisan divisions pose significant challenges, the tide may be turning. Legislators like Washington state Sen. Jesse Salomon acknowledge the compelling nature of testimonies from individuals who have benefited from psilocybin. Additionally, the Washington Psilocybin Services Act and similar legislative efforts in other states reflect a growing interest in exploring the benefits of psilocybin.
As the movement for decriminalisation gains momentum, Washington cities are paving the way for a potential statewide shift in policy. The success of these initiatives will depend on continued advocacy, research, and a shift in political interests to embrace the therapeutic potential of psilocybin.
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Doctors and researchers are finding psilocybin can help treat severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction
While psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in Washington, there is a growing movement to decriminalize them. This push for reform comes as doctors and researchers are finding that psilocybin can help treat severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
Psilocybin is the primary psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms. It can produce perceptual changes, altering a person's awareness of their surroundings and their thoughts and feelings. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, with research suggesting that it can effectively treat a range of mental health disorders.
One study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that psilocybin-assisted therapy, when combined with supportive psychotherapy, provided substantial antidepressant effects that lasted at least a year for some patients. The researchers reported that psilocybin treatment produced large decreases in depression, and that depression severity remained low one, three, six, and twelve months after treatment.
Another study by Roland Griffiths, a professor in the Neuropsychopharmacology of Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, found that 75% of participants responded to psilocybin treatment for depression, with a 58% remission rate at 12 months. According to Griffiths, "Psilocybin not only produces significant and immediate effects, it also has a long duration, which suggests that it may be a uniquely useful new treatment for depression."
While the commercialization of psychedelic experiences in states like Oregon has led to concerns about access and equity, the growing body of research suggests that psilocybin has the potential to be a promising therapeutic approach for treating severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
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A Washington doctor has petitioned to have psilocybin reclassified from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug
The Washington doctor's petition, which is currently advancing through federal agencies, aims to reclassify psilocybin as a Schedule II drug. This reclassification would allow for more controlled research and access to the substance. The petition comes at a time when there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders such as severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. Clinical trials have shown promising results in these areas, and psilocybin-assisted therapy has been legalized in states like Oregon and Colorado.
In Washington, cities like Seattle, Port Townsend, and Jefferson County have already decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms, and statewide efforts to legalize psychedelic mushrooms are underway. However, these efforts have faced challenges due to conflicting visions, concerns about cost and equity, and worries about corporate control of natural medicine. The Washington Psilocybin Services Act, similar to legislative initiatives in other states, aims to explore the use and potential benefits of psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs.
The petition to reclassify psilocybin highlights the evolving understanding of the substance and its potential benefits. Reclassification would enable further research and controlled access, providing new solutions for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. As the conversation around psilocybin evolves, it is essential to approach the topic with caution and thorough research, considering both the potential benefits and risks associated with the substance.
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Psilocybe washingtonensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom
While it is structurally similar to Psilocybe pelliculosa and P. silvatica, a microscope is required to reliably distinguish between them. It may be distinguished from P. pelliculosa by the presence of pleurocystidia. In addition, it resembles Kuehneromyces vernalis, Hypholoma udum, and H. dispersum. The stem of P. washingtonensis is 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) long by 1.5–2.5 mm thick, and it is attached to its substrate (wood or sticks) by a grayish mat of mycelium.
It is not definitively known whether Psilocybe washingtonensis contains psychoactive compounds like psilocybin or psilocin, the primary psychedelic compounds found in "magic mushrooms". However, statewide efforts to legalize and decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms in Washington have gained traction due to the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in treating severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.
A Washington doctor has filed a petition to reclassify psilocybin from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug, which would enable more controlled research and access. Additionally, a bill was introduced to the state House Legislature in February 2021 to legalize the personal use of any drug, including Schedule I drugs like psilocybin. These developments reflect the growing advocacy for drug law reforms and the increasing interest in the role of mushrooms in mental health and spirituality.
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Frequently asked questions
No, psilocybin and psilocin, the naturally occurring psychedelic drugs found in "magic mushrooms", are illegal in the state of Washington. However, there is a growing number of psilocybin advocates in the state who are pushing for drug law reforms to decriminalize the substance.
A growing body of research points to psilocybin as a treatment for depression, addiction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health ailments.
Psilocybe washingtonensis, a species of psilocybin mushroom, grows scattered or in groups on decaying conifer wood in forests. The species was first described scientifically by American mycologist Alexander H. Smith in 1946, after collecting the type specimen in Olympic National Park in Washington in 1941.
