Magic mushrooms could soon become legal for persons over age 21 in Washington state if Senate Bill 5660 passes in the 2022 legislative session. Shoreline, Wash. senator, Jesse Salomon, has proposed the bill on January 10, and it has been cosponsored by other State Senators Lovelett, Kuderer, Pedersen, Saldaña, Trudeau, and Wellman. There will be a public hearing in the Health & Long Term Care Committee at 8:00 a.m. on February 2, 2022.

"(4) It is the intent of Washington to facilitate the 7 establishment of safe, legal, and affordable psilocybin service 8 centers to provide citizens of Washington who are at least 21 years 9 of age with opportunities for supported psilocybin experiences for wellness and personal growth..." - SB5660, Washington State Legislature 2022

Magic mushrooms and other narcotic psychedelics have actually been used by humans for centuries and has even been the subject of numerous popular cult movies including Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Midsommar, Tenacious D: In the Pick of Destiny, A Scanner Darkly, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Disney's Fantasia, Altered States, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Oregon state legalized narcotic psychedelics including magic mushrooms back in 2020 and the city of Seattle passed their own laws to prevent the arrest of persons found with psychedelics in October 2021. Other cities in the U.S. such as Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Ann Arbor have also decriminalized these particular drugs.

WHY IS PSILOCYBIN CONSIDERED A SCHEDULE 1 NARCOTIC?

The chemical substance psilocybin was classified as a Schedule 1 drug in 1968 by the Nixon administration and was declared highly addictive with no medical benefits to humans.

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THE NARCOTIC PSILOCYBIN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED TO TREAT MENTAL ILLNESS

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Despite claims that there is no medical use (benefit) for magic mushrooms, some doctors have been prescribing psilocybin to patients with successful treatment for a variety of mental illnesses. Dr. Timothy Leary was a big proponent of utilizing psychedelics to treat mental illness.

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WHAT WOULD BE THE AGE LIMIT FOR POSSESSION OF MAGIC MUSHROOMS IF THE BILL PASSES?

Persons 21 years of age and older would not need to get a prescription for magic mushrooms (psilocybin).

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WHY ARE SOME DOCTORS PRESCRIBING MAGIC MUSHROOMS (PSILOCYBIN)?

Psilocybin mushroom.
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Patients who have been successfully treated with psilocybin have reported ease from their severe depression and severe anxiety. Individuals who have used magic mushrooms without a prescription have used the drug to experience out-of-body experiences.

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WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS OF MAGIC MUSHROOMS (PSILOCYBIN)?

Some users have noted feelings of paranoia, panic attacks, nausea, "bad trips", and other frightening symptoms.

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WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THE BILL PASSING?

SB 5660 will be next taken up by the state Senate Health Care Committee for a public hearing in February 2022.

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IF SB5660 BILL PASSES, THESE ARE THE NEXT STEPS

According to a report from The Center Square in Washington, those wishing to become a distributor or manufacturer of psilocybin will have to get certified training and a license through the State.

HELP SOMEONE YOU LOVE WHO MAY BE ADDICTED TO NARCOTICS

If you or someone you know is experiencing life-threatening substance abuse addiction in Washington state, please share with them the substance abuse hotline 1-866-789-1511 and refer them to this website for help.

Read the text of the proposed bill here.

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