This has been disproven, thanks to the hard work of scientists and researchers, but it turns out that marijuana may actually be a, sorta, gateway after all. California, Oregon, and Colorado have all successfully legalized the recreational use of marijuana and now they're looking forward, toward the possible legalization or decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms.
Most drugs like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD that cause hallucinations are thought of as goodtime-party drugs. The majority of them are listed as Schedule 1 by the federal government, meaning they're considered dangerous and have no medical use. Other drugs in that category still include marijuana, in spite of its trend toward legalization nationwide, cocaine and heroin.
Due to this classification, not a lot of research has been done about the potential positive effects of psilocybin until recently. Some studies have found that when pairing psilocybin with therapy, the effects of the drug could be effective at treating people suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction and even cluster headaches.
This research uses psilocybin to supplement therapy. So patients aren't just munching on mushrooms. And because it is still in the beginning stages of research, it won’t be available to the average person just yet, or probably any time soon.
It is a great benefit for researchers though. There is still a massive knowledge gap in the medical profession even where medical marijuana is concerned, which leads to many medical professionals refusing to prescribe medical marijuana because that is simply not how they were taught to treat their patients. The movement toward open-mindedness in medicine that could stem from research into psilocybin mushrooms will certainly be good for the push toward full marijuana legalization across the US.
California may not have been the first state to legalize marijuana, but it is trying to become the first state to legalize, or at least decriminalize, the use, sale, or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms for adults over the age of 21. In Oregon and Denver, where marijuana is legal for recreational use, activists are now also pushing toward a psychedelic frontier, “magic mushrooms,” as well.
Groups in CA, OR and CO are sponsoring ballot measures that would eliminate criminal penalties for possession of the mushrooms whose active ingredient, psilocybin, can cause hallucinations, euphoria and changes in perception. They point to research showing that psilocybin might be helpful for people suffering from depression or anxiety.
“We don’t want individuals to lose their freedom over something that’s natural and has health benefits,” said Kevin Matthews, the campaign director of Denver for Psilocybin, the organization working to decriminalize magic mushrooms in Colorado’s capital.
The recent failure of a nationally publicized campaign to decriminalize hallucinogenic mushrooms in California may not herald well for the psilocybin advocates in Oregon and Denver — though their initiatives are more limited than California’s, which could possibly make all the difference.
The proposal in the Golden State would have decriminalized sales and transportation of magic mushrooms, not just possession. The proposed Denver measure would apply only to that city, while in Oregon mushroom use would be allowed only with the approval of a physician and under the supervision of a registered therapist.
None of the proposed initiatives envisions fully legalizing psilocybin mushrooms, which would allow the government to regulate and tax sales in a similar fashion to medical and recreational marijuana.
Still, familiarity with recreational marijuana may have “softened up” voters and opponents of drug decriminalization. Oregon legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2015, Colorado in 2012. The Oregon and Colorado activists say they hope voters who already accepted pot would now feel comfortable decriminalizing personal use of magic mushrooms as well.
Taking mushrooms can lead to nausea, panic attacks and, rarely, paranoia and psychosis. But they generally are considered safer and less addictive than other illegal street drugs.
Even so, Paul Hutson, professor of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin who has conducted psilocybin research, says he is wary of the drive for decriminalization. Psilocybin isn’t safe for some people — particularly those with paranoia or psychosis, he said.
“I reject the idea that this is a natural progression from medical marijuana,” Hutson said, noting that the safety of pot is much better established. Mushrooms, he added, “are very, very potent medicines that are affecting your mind. In the proper setting, they’re safe, but in an uncontrolled fashion, I have grave concerns.”
Even psilocybin advocates share Hutson’s concerns. “It is such a powerful compound. People should take it very seriously when experimenting,” Matthews said. “Psilocybin is generally safe, but it puts you in a vulnerable state of mind,” he said. “If you do it in the wrong setting, things can go sideways.”
These efforts to legitimize hallucinogenic mushrooms come at a time of renewed interest in the potential mental health benefits of psychedelics, including mushrooms, LSD and MDMA (known as ecstasy). Two small studies published in 2016 by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and New York University found that a single large dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, helped relieve depression and anxiety in cancer patients.
Psilocybin could potentially create game-changing treatments for individuals who suffer from anxiety, addiction and depression – but it may be a while before these drugs are available legally for the average American. The trend toward marijuana legalization may be the gateway that enables states to legalize other drugs that were once thought useless but are proving to be more beneficial than many people would have guessed.
