Is It Legal To Use Magic Mushrooms In California?

California lawmakers have narrowly approved a bill supported by veterans and criminal justice reform advocates to decriminalize the possession and personal use of a limited list of natural hallucinogens, including magic mushrooms. The measure now heads to the desk. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at decriminalizing the possession and use of some hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms. State Sen. Scott Wiener will make a third attempt to legalize the use of psilocybin, colloquially known as magic mushrooms, in California, but this time with a much narrower proposal. One group, Decriminalize California, is looking to legalize hallucinogenic mushrooms, going further than Wiener’s bill by legalizing not only possession but also the sale and commercialization. Mushrooms and psilocybin remain very much against the law for now, but the possession of a limited amount of mushrooms has been decriminalized in some cases.

California has been at the forefront of scientific research into therapeutic uses for psychedelic drugs and a progressive push to soften punishment for drug crimes. As state lawmakers consider eliminating criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of psychedelic mushrooms, some L.A. County cannabis laws are considering legalizing them. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United States.