New York: congresswoman proposes decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms

Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthala recently introduced a bill to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms by removing psilocybin from New York State’s list of controlled substances.

«Psilocybin is a naturally occurring chemical compound produced by certain species of mushrooms,» explains the project, which then cites clinical evidence and ongoing studies on the substance’s therapeutic potential in the treatment of conditions such as severe depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

«Many cities, including Denver (Colorado), Santa Cruz, and Oakland (California), have already decriminalized the use and possession of psilocybin, and New York should follow suit,» he continues. «With the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorders, this bill will decriminalize psilocybin and allow for continued research into the drug and its beneficial therapeutic uses.»

The measure would thus remove psilocybin from the state’s Controlled Substances Act. However, hallucinogenic mushrooms contain a variety of additional compounds, including psilocin, which would remain prohibited under the proposal. The bill could be amended to address this issue or to include specific provisions, such as a possession limit. For now, the bill represents a tentative step toward decriminalization and was referred to the Assembly’s Health Committee last month.

A national movement

This proposal is part of a series of bills on psychedelic reform introduced in various U.S. states as part of a national campaign aimed at decriminalizing entheogenic plants and mushrooms.

The psychedelic reform movement has so far been limited to local jurisdictions. Denver became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin last year, followed by city council votes in favor of broader decriminalization of entheogenic substances in Oakland and Santa Cruz.

More than 100 cities in the United States have expressed their support for the adoption of similar policies. A Vermont lawmaker introduced a bill last year to decriminalize psychedelics, and an Iowa lawmaker has called for the legalization of psilocybin and MDMA in another bill.

California activists had hoped to put a measure to legalize psilocybin on the ballot for the upcoming November election, but the signature-gathering campaign stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Washington, D.C., activists were also halted in their effort to collect signatures for an initiative to decriminalize psychedelics.

In Oregon, a campaign to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic purposes has nearly reached enough signaturesto qualify, although they have not yet been approved. The group recently received a contribution of 1 million $ from the soap company Dr. Bronner’s.

Also in Oregon, a separate proposal would decriminalize the possession of all illicit drugs and use existing tax revenue from cannabis to fund the expansion of treatment services. Activists in Washington State also work on a similar measure regarding the decriminalization and treatment of drug use.