Hallucinogenic mushroom legality:the debate continues over the legality, and effects, of the popular yet illegal hallucinogen psilocybin.
Today there are more than 30 nations where possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is either legal, or the punishments are unenforced according to Wikipedia. These nations include countries such as Brazil, Thailand, Canada, and the Netherlands. But in Montana, our legal code states “a person convicted of criminal possession of dangerous drugs shall be imprisoned for a term not to excede 5 years or be fined an amount not to excede $5,000, or both ”. In this statement, the state not only classifies psilocybin mushrooms as a “dangerous drug” but also puts in place legal measures that can destroy a person’s life. Despite this, we are hardly the harshest state, as states such as Indiana and Texas have even stricter measures.
That being said, according to Brown university, psilocybin is not considered addictive, and CNN states that the mushrooms could be beneficial by counteracting anxiety, OCD, and substance abuse, as well as raising serotonin and having long-term benefits. None of these effects are shared by extremely addictive substances such as alcohol and caffeine, both of which are legal in the United States. With all this being considered, it seems strange to have these bans in place at a time when marijuana is finally beginning to be legalized. In fact, Colorado has recently become the first state to fully legalize psychedelic mushrooms recreationally, and already an industry has sprung up embracing this shift. For if nothing else, having these drugs be government-controlled will mean that people can have access to help, and take mushrooms in a safe environment.
With all this said, there are some, although rare, negative effects of psilocybin, including flashbacks and psychosis, both of which can last for years. Many of the studies on this subject have also had only very few participants, and until further testing is done there is little way of knowing the mushrooms’ full potential.
Yet, in the end, the decision of whether to legalize psilocybin is up to you, the voters. The only chance that these substances would be made legal is through a petition or referendum, so those of you who are 18 should be prepared, and informed, for when the time comes to vote.
