New Jersey Becomes Latest State To Loosen Penalties For Magic Mushrooms

Topline

Possessing small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms can no longer result in a multiyear prison sentence in New Jersey, after Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Thursday signed a bill that makes New Jersey the latest state in recent months to ease legal penalties for the psychedelic drug.

Key Facts

Key Background

The federal government first banned psychedelic mushrooms in 1970, aiming to stop the drug’s recreational use. In recent years, advocates have pushed for the drug to be decriminalized or legalized altogether: They point to some research suggesting it could help treat depression, and they argue the drug is not particularly addictive and shouldn’t be a priority for law enforcement. Meanwhile, others warn that the drug is still poorly understood and argue more research is needed before permitting its widespread use.

Surprising Fact

Despite loosening penalties for mushrooms, New Jersey’s efforts to legalize recreational marijuana have remained stalled for months. Voters in the state passed a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana in November, but state lawmakers are still negotiating the finer points of the legalization push, leaving its status in limbo.

Further Reading

Oregon Decriminalizes Small Amounts Of Heroin, Meth, Cocaine, Legalizes Magic Mushrooms For Therapy (Forbes)

Magic mushrooms, illegal in most places, may have therapeutic uses (The Economist)

Pot Legalization Hits an Unlikely Snag: ‘Magic’ Mushrooms (New York Times)