Michigan's Magic Mushroom Mystery: Where To Find Them?

While psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in Michigan under federal and state law, several cities within the state have decriminalized their use and possession. These cities include Ann Arbor, Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Detroit, which has a psychedelic church and psilocybin dispensary where mushrooms are the holy sacrament. There is also a statewide movement gaining momentum, with advocates rallying for a ballot measure to decriminalize psychedelic substances across the state. The ballot measure would decriminalize the cultivation, possession, and use of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, and dimethyltryptamine.

Michigan cities where psychedelics are decriminalized

While Michigan has not decriminalized psychedelic substances statewide, three cities and one county have taken steps to decriminalize magic mushrooms and entheogenic plants.

Ann Arbor was the first city to kick off the decriminalization movement in September 2020, passing legislation to decriminalize the possession, non-commercial use, and cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi. The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, which includes Ann Arbor, followed suit in January 2021, and Hazel Park City became the third city in Michigan to decriminalize psychedelic plants and psilocybin mushrooms in 2022. Detroit is also mentioned as a city that has decriminalized psychedelics, with 61% of voters supporting the measure.

The statewide petition to decriminalize psychedelic substances is still making its rounds, with advocates collecting signatures for a ballot measure that would decriminalize the cultivation, possession, and use of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, and dimethyltryptamine. This proposed ballot measure is an indirect initiated state statute, which means that if it receives enough valid signatures, it will be sent to the Legislature, which will then have 40 days to pass the initiative into law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, it will appear on the next general election ballot.

While the push to decriminalize psychedelics in Michigan is gaining momentum, it is important to note that these substances are still considered Schedule I drugs under federal law and are outlawed federally. However, there is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelics can be beneficial when taken in combination with therapy, and they have been used by indigenous people for healing and spiritual purposes for centuries.

Psychedelics in Michigan: Where to buy

While the use and sale of psychedelic mushrooms remain illegal under federal law, three Michigan cities—Hazel Park, Ann Arbor, and Detroit—have decriminalized the use and growth of "magic mushrooms." This means that while you cannot be arrested for using entheogens in these cities, buying and selling are still illegal.

In Ann Arbor, Arbor Shrooms offers a selection of active mushrooms that are grown and delivered in the city. The company was founded as a non-profit by a resident who began farming mushrooms to treat her own PTSD. To buy from Arbor Shrooms, you must be a member, be over 18, and live in Ann Arbor.

There is also a statewide movement gaining momentum, with advocates rallying for a ballot measure to decriminalize the cultivation, possession, and use of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, and dimethyltryptamine across the entire state. This ballot measure is an indirect initiated state statute, which means citizen-initiated statutes that receive enough valid signatures are sent to the Legislature, which then has 40 days to pass the initiative into law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, then it appears on the next general election ballot.

While the legal status of psychedelics in Michigan remains uncertain, it appears that the state may be part of a psychedelic revolution that is gaining momentum.

The health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms

While psychedelic mushrooms are currently classified as Schedule I drugs in the US, recent studies have shown that they can be harmless and even beneficial when taken in combination with therapy. In fact, psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in these mushrooms, has been used by indigenous communities for over a thousand years.

Today, psilocybin is being studied for its therapeutic benefits in treating various mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, when administered in a therapeutic setting, can bring about dramatic and long-lasting changes in people suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The US Food and Drug Administration has even described psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine.

Proponents of psilocybin mushrooms also cite their non-addictive nature and ability to stimulate certain areas of the brain. For instance, microdosing, or taking tiny amounts of psilocybin mushrooms several times a week, has been found to maintain brain health and enhance cognitive flexibility. Additionally, psilocybin has shown therapeutic effects in treating substance use disorders, such as alcohol use disorder, and easing existential distress caused by life-threatening diseases.

However, it is important to note that taking psilocybin mushrooms without medical supervision can be risky. Negative side effects such as paranoia, confusion, frightening hallucinations, nausea, and depersonalization have been reported, especially in cases of overdosing. Therefore, it is crucial to have a doctor's prescription and guidance to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure a safe experience.

The negative side effects of magic mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms," are a type of fungus that contains the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. While these mushrooms have a long history of use in ceremonial and spiritual contexts, particularly in indigenous cultures, they can also produce a range of negative side effects, especially when used recreationally or without proper caution.

Magic mushrooms are not legal in Michigan for recreational or medicinal use, although there have been efforts to decriminalize their use for medicinal purposes. As with any substance that alters the mind, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects before consuming magic mushrooms.

One of the most common negative side effects of magic mushroom use is a "bad trip," which can include anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations that are frightening or uncomfortable. During a bad trip, users may experience a distorted sense of time and reality, and they may feel like they have lost control or are going crazy. These negative psychological effects can be particularly intense and long-lasting for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions or those who are predisposed to psychiatric disorders. It is important to have a trusted companion present when taking magic mushrooms to help ground and support the user if needed.

Physical side effects of magic mushroom use can include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination. In some cases, users may also experience a condition known as "hallucinogen persisting perception disorder" (HPPD), where they have recurrent hallucinations even when not under the influence of the drug. This condition can be very distressing and disruptive to daily life. Another potential risk is that of accidental poisoning, as magic mushrooms can sometimes be misidentified with poisonous look-alikes that grow in similar environments.

Long-term use of magic mushrooms may also have negative consequences. Regular use can lead to a tolerance to the psychedelic effects, which may encourage users to take higher doses to achieve the desired results. This can increase the risk of negative side effects and make it more difficult to distinguish between the altered state and reality. Additionally, frequent use may contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues, particularly in those who are genetically predisposed or have underlying psychiatric conditions.

It is important to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution and respect for their potential risks and side effects. While these substances may offer therapeutic benefits when used responsibly and in controlled settings, they are not without dangers. If you choose to use magic mushrooms, it is essential to do so safely and legally, preferably under the guidance of a trained professional.

The history of psychedelics

The term "psychedelic" is a modern Western construct, but indigenous communities across the Global South have incorporated these substances into their lives for centuries, referring to them as spirit medicines. Archaeological evidence suggests that psychedelic plants and fungi have been used in indigenous medicinal traditions for millennia, with records showing that the ancient Greeks and Romans held seasonal rites involving the ingestion of a psychoactive drug called kykeon, which contained LSD-like hallucinogens.

In the 1520s, the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún documented Aztec rituals involving psilocybin-containing mushrooms, followed by what modern-day practitioners might call group therapy. De Sahagún described how the Aztecs would use these mushrooms in ceremonies where people would dance, sing, and weep, and then in the morning, they would talk about their visions.

In the 20th century, psychedelic substances such as LSD and psilocybin gained popularity in Western society. Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann first synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in 1938 and became the first person to ingest it five years later. In 1960, the pharmaceutical company Hofmann worked for sent psychedelics to Harvard psychologist Timothy Leary. During the 1950s and 1960s, however, a lack of informed consent in some scientific trials on psychedelics led to significant, long-lasting harm to some participants.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Research has shown that these substances can help people with mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism, depression, and cluster headaches. Studies are taking place in research institutions and private practice sites, with clinical trials investigating the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, alcoholism, and social anxiety, and psilocybin clinical studies for depression and addiction.

While psychedelics remain illegal under federal law, some U.S. states and cities have passed legislation to decriminalize their use. For example, Oregon has decriminalized entheogenic drugs for medicinal purposes, and three Michigan cities and one county have decriminalized magic mushrooms and entheogenic plants, with a statewide petition to decriminalize psychedelic substances currently underway.

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