Effort Underway to Decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms in California
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]M[/dropcap]embers of the group Decriminalize California sent a letter to California’s Office of Legislative Council on May 3, asking for help in drafting a bill to decriminalize the cultivation, sale and manufacturing of psilocybin mushrooms in the state.
“We hope to collaborate with you in crafting legislation that would provide express immunity from arrest, broad immunity from prosecution, and other legal protections (including, but not limited to, protection from prolonged detention, seizure, and forfeiture), for adults ages 21 and over (or younger with the consent of a parent or guardian) who cultivate, manufacture, distribute, transport, and give away entheogenic fungi for medicinal, therapeutic, and/or religious purposes,” the letter reads.
A review board comprised of ten members would be established to develop guidance on dosage, testing protocols and drafting regulations. An early draft of the California Psilocybin Decriminalization & Research Initiative 2020 was developed, but amendments to the initiative’s language are expected.
While the bill would remove penalties for psilocybin mushrooms, it would not build a legal system, although the group is considering taking that step as well in the future. An earlier attempt to legalize psilocybin mushrooms in the state, the California Psilocybin Mushroom Decriminalization Initiative, did not qualify as an initiated state statute on Nov. 6, 2018.
Efforts to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms on a citywide scale have been introduced in places including Denver, Colorado and another in Oakland, California, which would go further and decriminalize additional entheogenic plants. In addition, a statewide bill was introduced in Oregon to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for medicinal purposes.
Psilocybin varieties of mushrooms grow naturally in Mexico, Florida, Cuba, India, Southeast Asia and Australia, most commonly near cattle grazing areas. Some varieties can also be found in wetter areas in the wild in Washington, Oregon and California.
