Magic Mushrooms Decriminalized In Oakland

Psychedelics that come from plants and fungi, which includes magic mushrooms, have been decriminalized by the Oakland City Council. It voted on the matter earlier this week. Law enforcement will no longer prosecute people in this California town for possessing the substance. However, some obvious limitations have been left in place.

It has become the second city in the United States to decriminalize this drug after Denver did it last month. Oakland may have decriminalized magic mushrooms but the commercial distribution of the substance will remain illegal. Possession in schools remains illegal as well.

Proponents of this move argue that magic mushrooms, particularly the psychedelic psilocybin that they contain, can be used to treat conditions such as depression. They also point out that it can be used to make dealing with anxiety easier for end-of-life cancer patients. It’s believed that psilocybin poses a lower risk of addiction compared to other drugs even though that doesn’t mean that it’s completely risk-free.

The Oakland City Council has added an amendment to the resolution which mentions that people with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder should see a doctor first before they consider using psychedelics. The resolution also specifically prohibits driving while being under the influence of psilocybin.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Medical