News Update: Magic Mushrooms in Virginia

Research on psilocybin use is showing so much promise. However, having legal access to magic mushrooms in Virginia may still be far from happening. Psilocybin is currently considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the state. This means it is illegal to have them in your possession. Despite the state’s view, more are starting to believe what the research is saying. So much so that some are beginning to see its value and are looking towards investing in these mushrooms. Even legislation is starting to see that psilocybin isn’t as bad as they thought. They are also reconsidering their stance. 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) The Virginia General Assembly is debating the use of “magic mushrooms” for medical purposes, but the bill is unlikely to pass after being rejected by a significant group of legislators.

What’s So Great about Psilocybin?

Magic mushrooms have been around and have actually been studied since the early ’50s and ’60s. The US government has cracked down on all sorts of drugs. Now, psychedelics such as psilocybin were again picked up.

So far, research has discovered several benefits of psilocybin. These benefits are in connection with mental illness and other mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and other cases of neurodevelopmental disorder. Many studies have pointed out that psilocybin has a use in treating depression. This was a combination of psychotherapy and psilocybin. This helped reduce depressive symptoms and mental health conditions. It has also been seen to be an effective antidepressant.

Psychedelics were also seen as a good palliative care treatment for terminal illnesses by doctors. The NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study conducted a treatment session course. This is in using psilocybin for cancer patients to reduce anxiety. This was attributed to psychedelics’ ability to induce a spiritual experience.

These are some benefit highlights of psilocybin which are offered to those who take it. While these are not yet understood, their use shows promise in the medical field. But unfortunately, they’re still seen as recreational drugs that people get high with. This explains the stigma that many have towards this substance.

What’s Happening So Far?

As of 2021, psychedelics such as psilocybin are still illegal in most of the USA. But that may change soon as some places are starting to become more accepting of psilocybin. Denver, Colorado, became the first city to decriminalize psilocybin last May 2020. A few months later, Washington DC followed suit and decriminalized mushrooms as well. Five cities also followed afterwards.

There is also a state where magic mushrooms have finally become legalized. Oregon decided to pass its Ballot Measure 109 last November 2020. This made it legal for anyone to use psilocybin. This is only for therapeutic uses and under the proper supervision. This also made psilocybin possession a low priority to law enforcement, decriminalizing it.

While these are still illegal, there are already efforts being made to help change that. Earlier this year, the state already decided to legalize cannabis and/or marijuana. But this possibility is only for medical purposes, which require a prescription. But, legislation is already doing what it can to help make it legal to retail these. Soon enough, psilocybin may be following the same path.

Lawmakers in Virginia are currently working on getting drugs as a whole decriminalized. Recently, a suggestion was given to the commission of Virginia. This was to reconsider other ways to approach the drug problem. One of the ways proposed in Resolution HJ 530 is to decriminalize its possession.

The way of dealing drugs is already updated. The legislators behind the resolution said this. They also mentioned that the system has failed to understand substance abuse. Instead of looking at it as a public health problem, it is being treated as a criminal problem. This approach of treating it as a crime instead of a disorder has only proven to be fruitless.

Viewing drug and substance abuse as a public health problem will change things. This will also put the state of Virginia one step closer to changing its view on drugs altogether. This will reduce the stigma on drugs such as psilocybin. This opens people up to viewing psilocybin differently, even considering their therapeutic uses.

What Does That Mean for Shrooms now?

While the future seems bright for magic mushrooms, they’re still considered illegal due to laws prohibiting their possession, distribution, and use in many countries. Even if you find some in the Virginia Forest, you will still get in trouble if you’re caught foraging them. So, until they are decriminalized, you will have to hold off on finding some shrooms. Moreover, psychedelic mushroom is currently illegal and carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence as well as a $2,500 fine.

Despite that, other medicinal mushrooms are considered legal. Mushrooms such as the reishi mushroom, and lion’s mane are at least permitted to buy and consumed. While its effects may not be the same as psilocybin, they’re still beneficial to your health. But, again, it’s a start.

Conclusion

Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin, such as psilocybe cubensis and psilocybe semilanceata, or liberty caps and bottle caps, still have a long way to go in becoming an accepted substance like cannabis. With the help of science and research, change could happen anytime soon. This would help prove that psilocybin isn’t as evil as we thought it was. The legalization of cannabis is already a step towards progress. Along with this are the current efforts to help decriminalize drugs. So, there’s definitely a chance that things will change for the better.

Until then, all we can do is wait. We also need to do our part in helping other people better understand this magical substance called psilocybin mushrooms or what they call mushroom Virginia.