New Jersey Loosens Up on Magic Mushrooms

New Jersey becomes the recent state to declassify possession of magic mushrooms. Lawmakers added the provision to lessen penalties for psilocybin, the active chemical, to a marijuana bill in November at the last minute. The provision was removed from the bill but would be voted on separately later. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill in early February, reducing the classification of the drug.

Magic mushrooms have been illegal on the federal level since 1970. The Controlled Substance Act lists magic mushrooms as a Schedule 1 narcotic. This is the most criminal category of drugs due to their high potential for abuse. Psilocybin lists along with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

The bill declassifies possession of up to an ounce of mushrooms from a third-degree crime to a disorderly persons offense. It reduced penalties from up to 6 years in prison to a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in prison. This is not to be confused with decriminalization. Decriminalization removes the potential for jail time.

Advocates cite studies that claim that psilocybin may have helpful applications for cancer and HIV patients. It can also treat depression. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University posted findings from synthetic psilocybin trials. The trials show that 71% of their patients experienced a clinically significant response to the treatment. 54% of the patients recorded a total remission. Doctors also cite that there is no risk of overdose or addiction.

“What is different about psilocybin, compared to other mood-altering drugs or pharmaceuticals, is the enduring meaning and belief changes that can occur. People feel ‘reorganized’ in a way they don’t with other drugs,” says Roland Griffiths, a Neuropharmacologist at Johns Hopkins

New Jersey lawmakers first saw legislation for psilocybin only months ago and quickly passed a bill. The same cannot be said for marijuana. The state has been grappling with the issue since 2014. The State Senate moved to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults, but Governor Murphy has yet to sign the bill. Disagreements over the penalties of people under 21 put off the signing.

Of the crawling nature of the issue, Gov. Murphy says, “This hasn’t been an easy fight, nor has it happened as quickly as I would have liked, but we are in a better place, a smarter place, and a more just place than ever before.” 

New Jersey is only the latest state to put forth legislation for psilocybin. Colorado was the first to loosen restrictions back in 2019. Oregon passed legislation in 2020, as well as some major cities such as Washington D.C. and Somerville, Massachusetts.