Emily Johnson
As of 2025, hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are illegal under California state law. However, despite their classification as a Schedule I controlled substance, some cities in California, such as Oakland and Santa Cruz, have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms. While Los Angeles County has yet to officially decriminalize magic mushrooms, there have been reports of cannabis dispensaries in the county openly selling psychedelic mushrooms. As the state considers a bill to decriminalize psychedelics, the availability and legal status of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Los Angeles County remain in flux.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hallucinogenic mushrooms in LA county | Illegal under state law, but some dispensaries sell them |
| Legality of hallucinogenic mushrooms in California | Illegal under state law, but some cities have decriminalized them |
| Legality of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the US | Illegal under federal law, but some states have decriminalized or legalized them |
| Therapeutic benefits of hallucinogenic mushrooms | Treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorder |
| Risks of hallucinogenic mushrooms | Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, a rare condition with symptoms like long-lasting "bad trips" |
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What You'll Learn
- Los Angeles County dispensaries sell hallucinogenic mushrooms
- Magic mushrooms are illegal under California state law
- Oakland is the only city in Los Angeles County to decriminalize magic mushrooms
- Senate Bill 58 aims to decriminalize possession of small amounts of psychedelics
- There is growing support for legalizing or decriminalizing psilocybin
Los Angeles County dispensaries sell hallucinogenic mushrooms
As of 2021 and 2025, the sale, possession, and cultivation of magic mushrooms containing psilocybin are illegal under California state law. However, despite their illegal status, some Los Angeles County dispensaries have been openly selling them. Senate Bill 58, which is currently under consideration, aims to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and sharing small amounts of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin.
While cannabis is legal statewide in California, no Southern California municipality or county has decriminalized magic mushrooms. Despite this, some L.A.-area businesses have been selling the hallucinogen. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department served about 50 search warrants at dispensaries selling magic mushrooms in the six months leading up to June 2023. Additionally, in April 2022, the department tweeted that they had made 277 arrests and seized approximately 29 pounds of mushrooms from illegal marijuana dispensaries in the previous six months.
Lt. Jay Moss of the Sheriff's Department's narcotics bureau confirmed that psychedelic mushrooms are commonly sold at dispensaries in Los Angeles. At one coastal Los Angeles County cannabis dispensary, customers must hand over their driver's licenses and put away their cell phones before entering a small waiting room. They are then buzzed past a locked door into a room where they can purchase various psychoactive products, including magic mushrooms and mushroom-infused liquids.
Although the sale of magic mushrooms is illegal in Los Angeles County, there is a growing movement to decriminalize psilocybin and other hallucinogens. Psychologists, researchers, and veterans' advocates support legalization or decriminalization, citing the therapeutic benefits of these substances in treating mental health issues. Additionally, states like Oregon and Colorado have already legalized or decriminalized magic mushrooms, and some Democrats in Sacramento are pushing for similar changes in California.
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Magic mushrooms are illegal under California state law
As of 2023, magic mushrooms are illegal under California state law. Despite the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, the compound that causes hallucinogenic effects, it is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance. This means that it is highly regulated and considered to have a high potential for abuse with no recognized medical use. The possession, cultivation, and sale of magic mushrooms are all illegal under state law, and individuals caught engaging in such activities can face criminal charges, including fines, jail time, or probation.
Although cannabis is legal in California, magic mushrooms are not. This has led to a grey area where some dispensaries in Los Angeles County have begun selling magic mushrooms alongside their cannabis products. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department served about 50 search warrants at dispensaries selling magic mushrooms in the last six months, seizing thousands of pounds of marijuana and mushrooms. Despite this, there is growing support for legalizing or decriminalizing psilocybin, with Senate Bill 58 aiming to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and sharing small amounts of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin.
While California state law prohibits the use of magic mushrooms, certain cities and counties within the state have implemented their own local policies. Oakland and Santa Cruz have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms, and other cities in California may follow suit. However, it is important to note that these localized measures do not mean statewide decriminalization, and California's statewide prohibition remains firmly in place.
The legal status of magic mushrooms in California has evolved over time, and it is possible that the state may soften its stance on psilocybin in the future. As of now, however, magic mushrooms remain illegal under California state law, and individuals risk criminal charges if caught possessing, using, or distributing them.
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Oakland is the only city in Los Angeles County to decriminalize magic mushrooms
In California, the possession and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin are illegal under state law. They are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use. However, the legal status of magic mushrooms in California has evolved, and certain cities and counties have implemented their own policies. As of 2019, Oakland is the only city in Los Angeles County to have decriminalized magic mushrooms, becoming the second city in the United States to do so.
The City Council of Oakland passed a resolution to decriminalize entheogenic plants, including hallucinogenic magic mushrooms. The resolution was presented by City Councilman Noel Gallo and passed with a unanimous vote. It established a citywide policy ending criminal penalties for the use and possession of plant-based hallucinogens, specifically excluding synthetic drugs like LSD and MDMA. The vote was influenced by testimonies from individuals who shared their positive experiences with psychedelics in overcoming depression, drug addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The group Decriminalize Nature Oakland (DNO), co-founded by Carlos Plazola, played a pivotal role in advocating for the decriminalization of magic mushrooms in the city. DNO initiated discussions within the community in early 2019 and organized its first public educational event in March of that year. The organization emphasizes that entheogenic plants should not be commodified and does not intend to sell them. Instead, they may be shared within collectives.
Despite the decriminalization in Oakland, the sale and possession of magic mushrooms in Los Angeles County remain illegal under state law. However, there are reports of Los Angeles County cannabis dispensaries openly selling magic mushrooms, even as the state legislature considers decriminalization. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department has conducted numerous raids and arrests related to the sale of illegal mushrooms at dispensaries, underscoring the ongoing tension between local policies and state-level prohibition.
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Senate Bill 58 aims to decriminalize possession of small amounts of psychedelics
Senate Bill 58 (SB 58) is a legislative proposal in California that aims to decriminalize the possession and use of small amounts of certain psychedelic substances. While the bill does not explicitly mention hallucinogenic mushrooms, it seeks to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and sharing a range of psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, ibogaine, and DMT.
Currently, in California, the possession, cultivation, and sale of magic mushrooms containing psilocybin are illegal under state law. They are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value. However, the legal status of hallucinogenic mushrooms and psychedelics is evolving.
SB 58 recognizes the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances in treating mental health conditions. Clinical research has demonstrated the effectiveness of psychedelic compounds in conjunction with therapy for various disorders, including end-of-life anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders. The bill aims to remove the threat of criminal punishment for individuals seeking healing through psychedelics.
The bill also lays the groundwork for California to develop a therapeutic access program for psychedelic plants and fungi. It emphasizes that decriminalization is intended for non-commercial, personal use and will not affect restrictions on activities such as driving while impaired or an employer's ability to restrict substance use by employees. Additionally, peyote is specifically excluded from the list of substances to be decriminalized under SB 58.
It's important to note that even if SB 58 is enacted, the use and possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms and other psychedelics will still be regulated. Most jurisdictions impose age restrictions, possession limits, and specific guidelines for cultivation, sale, and therapeutic use. As the legal landscape surrounding psychedelics evolves, staying informed about the specific laws and regulations in one's jurisdiction is essential.
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There is growing support for legalizing or decriminalizing psilocybin
While the possession, cultivation, and sale of psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in Los Angeles County, California, there is a growing movement to decriminalize or legalize these substances. Senate Bill 58, which aimed to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and sharing small amounts of psychedelics, was passed by the California Senate in September 2023 but vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, who requested therapeutic guidelines. Despite this setback, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, and an increasing number of states and cities are taking steps towards decriminalization or legalization.
In California, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms has evolved over time. While they remain illegal under state law, certain cities, such as Oakland and Santa Cruz, have implemented local policies decriminalizing their possession and use. Los Angeles County has not followed suit, but there are reports of dispensaries openly selling psilocybin mushrooms, and the county's Sheriff's Department has conducted multiple raids on these establishments.
The movement to decriminalize psilocybin in the United States gained momentum in 2019, with Denver, Colorado, becoming the first city to decriminalize the substance. Since then, many other cities and states have initiated similar measures, including Oregon, which became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use in regulated settings in 2020. This shift towards decriminalization is driven by growing evidence of the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and other psychedelics in treating mental health conditions such as depression, drug addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Proponents of decriminalization or legalization argue that psilocybin has a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs and causes a relatively low number of emergency visits. Additionally, the rapid legalization of cannabis in the United States has influenced the movement to decriminalize psilocybin. As of 2022, 25 states have considered 74 bills related to psychedelic reform, with the number of reform bills introduced each year steadily increasing. While the specifics of these laws vary, most jurisdictions impose age restrictions, possession limits, and specific guidelines for cultivation, sale, or therapeutic use.
In conclusion, while Los Angeles County has not decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms, there is a growing movement to legalize or decriminalize these substances, driven by increasing evidence of their therapeutic benefits. As more states and cities take steps towards decriminalization or legalization, the legal landscape surrounding psilocybin mushrooms is evolving, and it is essential for individuals to stay informed about the specific laws and regulations in their jurisdictions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of 2025, the possession, cultivation, and sale of magic mushrooms containing psilocybin are illegal under California state law. However, individual cities and counties within California may have implemented their own local policies. For example, Oakland and Santa Cruz have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms.
Yes, there is growing support for legalizing or decriminalizing psilocybin and other hallucinogens among psychologists, researchers, and veterans’ advocates. Senate Bill 58, currently in the legislature, aims to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing, growing, and sharing small amounts of several psychedelic substances, including psilocybin.
As of 2023, some cannabis dispensaries in Los Angeles County were openly selling hallucinogenic mushrooms and products containing psilocybin. However, it is important to note that these substances are still illegal statewide, and there have been recent arrests and seizures related to the sale of illicit substances at dispensaries in the county.
