Oakland, California Votes to Decriminalize 'Magic Mushrooms' and Peyote

A movement aimed at legalizing hallucinogenic mushrooms has taken another step forward after the Oakland City Council in California voted unanimously to decriminalize 'magic mushrooms' and other plant based psychedelics on Tuesday.

With Tuesday's vote, Oakland becomes the second city in the United States to decriminalize the adult use and possession of magic mushrooms and other psychoactive plants. Voters in Denver narrowly approved a similar measure that decriminalized magic mushroom for people over 21 in May.

The City Council's vote directs police to stop investigating and prosecuting individuals who use or posses drugs that are taken from plants, cacti, and mushrooms that contain psilocybin.

Councilman Loren Taylor offered several amendments to the resolution that offered some guidance on the hallucinogens for users. They included suggestions for adults to begin with small amounts to see how they would react before using a larger amount. Another suggestion offered by Taylor said users should seek expert guidance and have a trip babysitting along during their journey. Loren also recommended that people with PTSD or major depression should seek professional help before turning to mushrooms for relief.

Supporters of the move say drugs like magic mushrooms, peyote and others derived from plant sources have been used for centuries by various cultures around the world. Speakers lined up at the city council meeting to tell the council members how the plants have been helpful in reducing trauma, depression, addiction and anxiety. Some testified about their years of pain and addiction before using the hallucinogens to find relief.

However, opponents cautioned against the widespread use of hallucinogenic fungi, with one physician who lives in Oakland saying mushrooms were used in controlled rituals, not recreationally.

Other cities and even states are looking into decriminalizing magic mushrooms with efforts currently underway in Oregon to get the issue on the state's 2020 ballot. But like pot, magic mushrooms are a Schedule 1 drug and remains illegal under both state and federal laws.

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