Mushroom Use In Michigan: Drug Testing Laws

Michigan has some of the harshest drug laws in the United States, and psilocybin, the psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms, is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, carrying the highest degree of punishment for any category of drug. However, there is a growing movement to decriminalize psychedelics in the state, with advocates collecting signatures for a ballot measure that would decriminalize the cultivation, possession, and use of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, and dimethyltryptamine. So far, three cities in Michigan have successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics, and there is increasing evidence to support the therapeutic use of mushrooms for mental health. While the state of Michigan does not specifically mention drug testing for mushrooms, it does have mandatory drug testing procedures for law enforcement applicants, requiring them to test negative for the illicit use of controlled substances.

Magic mushrooms are illegal in Michigan

Magic mushrooms, or "shrooms", are illegal in Michigan. The psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is a Schedule I controlled substance under Michigan law. This means that its use, possession, or sale is illegal and can result in criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment. According to Michigan Penal Code 333.7403, psilocybin is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, carrying the highest degree of punishment for any category of drug. Other Schedule I substances include heroin, cocaine, and LSD.

However, it's important to note that there is a growing movement in Michigan to decriminalize or legalize psilocybin for therapeutic and medicinal use. As of 2025, three cities in Michigan have successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics, including magic mushrooms. These cities are Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Hazel Park. In these cities, psilocybin remains illegal, but it becomes the lowest law enforcement priority, meaning arrests and prosecutions for possession or use are deprioritized.

Advocates are also collecting signatures for a ballot measure that would decriminalize psilocybin statewide. This push for decriminalization is driven by increasing evidence of the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. Research institutions like Johns Hopkins Medicine have contributed to this growing body of evidence, and there is a strong trend towards legalizing psilocybin for medical use in the US and worldwide.

While the movement for psychedelic reform gains momentum in Michigan, it's essential to be aware of the current legal status of magic mushrooms in the state. Possession, sale, or use of psilocybin can result in significant legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines, as outlined in Michigan's Public Health Code.

Although magic mushrooms are illegal in Michigan, there is a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. The state's drug laws are considered harsh, and advocates are pushing for decriminalization or legalization to reduce the risk of legal consequences for those using psychedelics for therapeutic or medicinal purposes.

Ann Arbor has decriminalised natural psychedelics

On September 21, 2020, Ann Arbor, Michigan, became the fourth US city to decriminalize naturally occurring psychedelics. The City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution that made it the city's lowest priority to investigate or arrest anyone for "planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with, or possessing" any naturally occurring psychedelic compound on the federal or state Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list. This includes substances such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, San Pedro cacti, and iboga.

The resolution was the result of a campaign organized by Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor (DNA2), with support from the national organization's board of directors. It was sponsored by council members Anne Bannister (D) and Jeff Hayner (D). The resolution does not legalize naturally occurring psychedelics but instead relegates legal infractions related to them to the city's lowest law enforcement priority. This means that Ann Arbor police can still make arrests for these drugs if they choose to, but they will no longer be a focus of enforcement.

Advocates of the resolution welcome the change but want to re-insert a ban on city funding for enforcement. They argue that the reform is more symbolic than impactful on criminal justice in the city, but it pushes a necessary conversation about drugs and allows for public education around psychedelics. While the resolution only applies to Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Eli Savit, has stated that he supports the decriminalization of all entheogenic plants and does not plan to prosecute their use or possession in any other part of the county.

The decriminalization of psychedelics in Ann Arbor is part of a growing trend in the United States. Denver became the first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in 2019, and other cities like Oakland, California, have passed similar legislation. There is also a push for statewide decriminalization in Michigan, with three cities, including Ann Arbor, already having successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics. Proponents of decriminalization argue that it reduces the risk of legal consequences for using entheogens and that there is increasing evidence of the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. However, critics worry about the potential loss of federal funding for states that choose to decriminalize substances that are outlawed federally.

Psilocybin is a Schedule I controlled substance

In the state of Michigan, psilocybin is considered a Schedule I controlled substance. This classification means that it is deemed to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Possession and use of psilocybin can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines. According to Michigan Penal Code 333.7403, psilocybin possession is punishable by up to four years in jail for amounts between 25 and 50 grams. Larger quantities can lead to life imprisonment.

While psilocybin is currently illegal in most of Michigan, there is a growing movement to decriminalize its use. So far, three cities in Michigan have successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics: Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Hazel Park. In Ann Arbor, the use of natural psychedelics, including psilocybin-containing mushrooms, peyote, and ayahuasca, is no longer penalized. This move towards decriminalization reflects a recognition of the therapeutic benefits associated with psilocybin. Research institutions like Johns Hopkins Medicine have found increasing evidence supporting the use of psilocybin for mental health treatment and boosting creativity.

Advocates for decriminalization are collecting signatures for a ballot measure that would legalize the cultivation, possession, and use of psilocybin statewide. This initiative, known as the Michigan Decriminalization of Psilocybin Mushrooms and Other Plants and Fungi Initiative, aims to reclassify psilocybin and reduce the penalties associated with its use. Myc Williams, co-director of Decriminalize Nature Michigan, is a key figure in this effort, emphasizing the importance of reducing legal consequences and costs for individuals using psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

While the push for decriminalization gains momentum, it is important to note that psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance under Michigan law. This classification carries the highest degree of punishment for any category of drug, similar to substances like heroin, cocaine, and LSD. As a result, individuals caught possessing or using psilocybin outside of the decriminalized areas in Michigan may still face significant legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines, as outlined by state legislation.

Therapeutic benefits of psychedelics

In the state of Michigan, magic mushrooms are illegal and considered a Schedule I controlled substance, carrying the highest degree of punishment for any category of drug. However, there is a growing movement to decriminalize psychedelics in the state, with three cities, including Ann Arbor and Hazel Park, having already successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics. Proponents of decriminalization argue that it is important to reduce the legal consequences and costs associated with using these substances for therapeutic intentions.

Psychedelics have been gaining recognition for their therapeutic benefits, with an growing number of studies supporting their potential in treating mental health conditions. Here are some key therapeutic benefits of psychedelics:

Treatment of Mental Health Disorders

Psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin and MDMA, have shown promise in treating various mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, existential anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They are believed to work by promoting neuroplasticity and encouraging the growth of new connections between neurons in the brain, known as brain plasticity or neuroplasticity. This can lead to the development of new treatments for a wider range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

Reducing Anxiety and Facilitating Behavioral Changes

Psilocybin, when used in a regulated space with a medical team and as part of cognitive behavioral therapy, has been found to reduce anxiety in cancer patients and facilitate smoking cessation. The altered state of consciousness induced by psychedelics can provide a sense of connection and reduce the sense of self or ego, which can be beneficial in therapeutic settings.

Inflammation, Addiction, and Trauma

Psychedelics are being studied for their potential in treating inflammation, addiction, and trauma. Myc Williams, a proponent of decriminalization, shared his personal experience of using entheogenic substances to overcome childhood trauma during his 15-year recovery from addictive drugs.

While the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics are gaining recognition, it is important to approach their use with caution and under professional supervision. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind their therapeutic effects and to develop related drugs that can provide these benefits without causing hallucinogenic side effects.

Statewide decriminalisation efforts

While magic mushrooms are illegal in almost all of the United States, including Michigan, there is a growing movement in the state to decriminalize their use. So far, three cities in Michigan—Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Hazel Park—have successfully decriminalized natural psychedelics.

Statewide Decriminalization Efforts

Myc Williams, co-director of Decriminalize Nature Michigan, is leading the statewide decriminalization effort as part of the ballot committee Michigan Initiative for Community Healing. The initiative seeks to decriminalize entheogenic plants and mushrooms and reduce the maximum penalty for non-prescribed drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Williams' group is a state chapter of Decriminalize Nature, a national organization that has helped pass similar legislation in Oakland, California. In an interview, Williams shared that he started using entheogenic substances in his 15-year recovery from addictive drugs and that the dosage has helped him overcome childhood trauma. He emphasized that the war on drugs has disproportionately harmed many people, particularly Black and Brown communities.

Moss Herberholz, a graduate student and president of the Student Association for Psychedelic Studies at the University of Michigan, also advocates for statewide decriminalization. Herberholz highlights the importance of legalizing these substances in a medical setting while also decriminalizing them to reduce the legal and financial risks for individuals who use psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

In September 2021, Michigan State Senators Adam Hollier and Jeff Irwin introduced a bill to decriminalize the manufacture, possession, delivery, and use of entheogenic plants and fungi statewide, allowing their usage for research. As of November 2024, the Michigan Decriminalization of Psilocybin Mushrooms and Other Plants and Fungi Initiative was not on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute. However, citizen-initiated statutes that gather enough valid signatures are sent to the Legislature, which then has 40 days to pass the initiative into law.

While there is growing support for decriminalization, Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd highlights a challenge, noting that Michigan has not decriminalized these substances statewide due to their federally outlawed status. He explains that decriminalization may result in the state not receiving certain federal funds. Despite this obstacle, the movement for statewide decriminalization in Michigan continues to gain momentum, driven by scientific research, personal testimonies, and a recognition of the negative impacts of the war on drugs.

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