Psychedelic Mushrooms: How They're Sold And Why

The sale of psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, is a highly contentious issue due to their hallucinogenic properties. While the sale of these mushrooms is illegal in many countries, there is a burgeoning underground economy for their distribution, particularly in jurisdictions where their sale and possession are not explicitly prohibited. The price of psychedelic mushrooms varies depending on location and legality, with an average cost of around $10 per gram. The method of consumption also varies, with some users opting for dried mushrooms, while others may prefer capsules or edible products infused with the mushrooms. Despite the risks associated with their use, there is a growing movement to decriminalize and regulate psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.

Magic mushrooms are sold in illegal dispensaries, often hidden from view

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in many countries. In locations where they are unregulated, prices tend to fluctuate. In areas where psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized, they may be available at in-person shops and online stores. In cities and states where magic mushrooms are decriminalized, prices are often 10% to 30% less than in areas where possession is still criminalized.

In Los Angeles, psychedelic mushrooms are commonly sold at dispensaries in L.A. County's unincorporated areas, even though cannabis-only outlets are illegal there. Lt. Jay Moss of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's narcotics bureau stated that these dispensaries are "a really big problem." According to Lt. Moss, these illegal dispensaries do not typically openly sell magic mushrooms. Instead, they keep them out of view, and customers must ask for them.

The sale of magic mushrooms is banned in many jurisdictions, including Germany and several US states, such as California, Georgia, and Idaho. However, there is ambiguity in many national, state, and provincial drug laws regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and selective enforcement has been observed in some places. In some jurisdictions, psilocybe spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin, the psychoactive substances found in mature mushrooms.

While magic mushrooms are illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), the province of Alberta has recently regulated and allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first regulated at the federal level by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, which criminalized the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of hallucinogenic drugs. Despite the legal restrictions, magic mushrooms are sold in illegal dispensaries, often hidden from view, as they are lucrative and in high demand.

They are also sold in cannabis dispensaries, despite being illegal

Despite the illegality of psychedelic mushrooms in many places, they are sold in cannabis dispensaries in certain jurisdictions. In Los Angeles County, for instance, some dispensaries sell psychedelic mushrooms, even in areas where cannabis-only outlets are prohibited. These dispensaries may not openly display the mushrooms and typically keep them out of view, requiring customers to ask for them. The sale of psychedelic mushrooms in these dispensaries persists despite law enforcement efforts to shut them down.

The legal status of psychedelic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, varies across different jurisdictions. While they are illegal in many countries and regulated or prohibited by national drug laws, there are also regions where they have been decriminalized or are not specifically included in drug conventions. For example, in the United States, the possession and sale of psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited under federal law, but some states like Oregon, Colorado, and California have moved towards decriminalization or the creation of regulatory frameworks for their use.

In jurisdictions where psychedelic mushrooms are illegal, their sale often occurs through an underground economy and illicit markets. This can include sales by dealers or in illegal dispensaries, which may operate in storefronts or parking lots. The price of psychedelic mushrooms can vary depending on location and legality, with prices typically ranging from $7 to $12 per gram.

The legality of selling psychedelic mushrooms in cannabis dispensaries depends on the specific jurisdiction and its laws regarding the regulation and decriminalization of psychedelics. In some places, like certain parts of Los Angeles County, cannabis dispensaries may sell psychedelic mushrooms despite their illegal status in the wider state. This discrepancy can create a complex legal situation, with local law enforcement facing challenges in addressing these illegal dispensaries.

In some places, spores are legal to sell and possess, creating an underground economy

The legal status of psychedelic mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in psychedelic mushrooms, are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or drugs that have no recognized medical use. However, the legal status of psychedelic mushrooms is ambiguous in many places, and there is a great deal of selective enforcement in some jurisdictions.

In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. This loophole complicates the legal situation, as spores can be used to cultivate psychedelic mushrooms. As a result, an underground economy has emerged in the sale of spores and cultivation materials, supported by an internet-based social network. However, it is important to note that possession of spores with the intent to cultivate psychedelic mushrooms may be illegal in some places.

In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has confirmed that psilocybin spores are not federally controlled substances and are thus federally legal. However, this does not mean that the sale or possession of psilocybin spores is completely protected under the law. For example, in California, it is illegal to cultivate, transport, sell, or give away spores capable of producing controlled substances. Still, psilocybin spores are legal for research, instruction, or analysis approved by the Research Advisory Panel.

Some US states, such as California, Georgia, and Idaho, have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores. In these states, the spores are considered items used in drug manufacture, and their possession may be criminalized. In contrast, other states, such as New Mexico, have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance.

In jurisdictions where psilocybin is decriminalised, they are sold in shops and online

The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. While they are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, the convention does not regulate the mushrooms themselves due to pressure from the Mexican government. This has created ambiguity and selective enforcement in some places, with spores being legal to sell and possess in many areas as they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin.

In the same year, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. This came into effect in January 2023. Canada has been slowly expanding access to psychedelic substances, with the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT being legal for personal use and possession. Jamaica is another example of a place where psilocybin is not illegal, and it is a popular destination for psychedelic tourism.

In some countries, psychedelics have full legalisation, while in others, they are legal only under specific contexts. "Decriminalisation" can mean different things, but generally, it implies that people can possess or use a personal amount of the substance despite it being illegal, and law enforcement will not prioritise arresting and prosecuting people for it. This can help reduce harm and encourage open conversations with doctors about substance use.

In Oregon, clients can eat dried, whole mushrooms or drink them as tea

Oregon has become the first state in the US to legalize psilocybin, commonly known as psychedelic mushrooms, for therapeutic use. The state's progressive stance on the issue has generated a lot of discussion and some confusion about the current legal status of psilocybin.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in over 200 species of mushrooms that grow naturally worldwide. For centuries, Indigenous and Tribal communities have used psilocybin for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. In Oregon, psilocybin is not legal for recreational use. Its consumption is strictly limited to therapeutic settings within licensed psilocybin service centers.

Oregon's Psilocybin Law represents a significant shift in drug policy within the United States. The Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, approved by voters in 2020, establishes a regulatory framework for receiving psilocybin. This law allows individuals to receive psilocybin in a safe and controlled environment. The Oregon Health Authority licenses growers, clinics, and facilitators who work with clients.

There are several ways to consume psilocybin in Oregon, all of which rely on natural cultivation and processing. Clients may eat dried, whole mushrooms or drink them as tea. They can also consume edible food products, such as chocolate, or swallow capsules containing ground homogenized fungi.

It is important to note that the consumption of psilocybin in Oregon is highly regulated. Only licensed facilitators can guide patients through the experience, and individuals must be at least 21 years old to participate. Additionally, insurance companies typically do not cover the cost of psilocybin therapy, which can be expensive, ranging from $500 to $2,500 for an hours-long psilocybin trip.

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