Recent years have seen a substantial rise in seizures of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms,” by law enforcement in Oregon, as well as nationwide. According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the confiscations of these psychedelic fungi significantly increased from 2017 to 2022.
The time frame of the study interestingly includes periods both before and after Oregon set a precedent by becoming the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use. This groundbreaking move came in 2020 with the passage of Measure 109. The first treatments involving psilocybin at state-authorized service centers commenced in mid-2023.
While Oregon boasts a regulated market for psychedelic fungi, law enforcement continues to target the thriving black market, which caters to a considerable number of recreational users. During this six-year period, Oregon ranked eighth in the country for confiscations of magic mushrooms, with 182 seizures recorded.
In the same year, Oregon passed Measure 110, which decriminalized small amounts of most recreational drugs, including psilocybin. This move was seen as revolutionary, positioning Oregon at the forefront of the national conversation on drug policy reform.
However, the rise in seizures indicates that the black market for magic mushrooms remains resilient despite the establishment of a regulated market. There is speculation that the availability of these mushrooms in the black market continues to attract recreational users who may not qualify for or be inclined towards the therapeutic use sanctioned by the state.
Moreover, the rise in seizures and the challenges in managing the black market have led lawmakers to reconsider the law that decriminalized small amounts of most recreational drugs. The journey of psilocybin mushrooms from complete illegality to therapeutic use and decriminalization, and the potential for re-evaluation of these laws, highlights the complex and often contentious nature of drug policy.
As the debate continues, the state grapples with striking a balance between acknowledging the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, controlling its recreational use, and combating the black market. This situation underscores the challenges inherent in drug policy reform and the need for ongoing research, dialogue, and adjustment in response to evolving circumstances.
