Massachusetts moves to legalize ‘magic mushrooms’

Massachusetts hopes to bring psychedelic therapy to the state.

The Joint Committee on Public Health voted to advance two bills in December. One bill, H. 2506, decriminalizes up to two ounces of psilocybin for people 21 and over who are veterans, law enforcement officers, or diagnosed with conditions that could be better managed with this type of therapy.

The other bill, H. 2532, would put a statewide pilot program for psilocybin therapy in place. The bills still have some hoops to jump through in order to become law, but supporters see this as a step in the right direction.

The decriminalization bill was largely authored by Rep. Steven Owens (D-29th Middlesex) and Graham Moore of Mass Healing, an organization advocating for psilocybin therapeutic use.

The language of the bill was overseen by a psychiatrist from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS), which is a branch of the American Psychiatric Association.

The association’s stance in a 2022 statement was that psychedelics should be used only in clinical trials because of “insufficient evidence for broader endorsement.”

Oregon and Colorado have broader legislation decriminalizing psilocybin while also establishing therapeutic programs. And as of mid-January, New Jersey joined the ranks of legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use.

Massachusetts, however, tried and failed to pass legislation with a tag on ballot in 2024. Critics largely saw it as “irresponsible” as it pushed for more recreational use rather than the importance of its therapeutic properties.

Psilocybin, a naturally occurring “prodrug” in approximately 200 different species of mushrooms, is inactive but once ingested converts to psilocin, which has hallucinogenic properties. Often called “magic mushrooms,” the psychoactive properties activate the serotonin levels in the brain that bring on changes in perception and mood.

Moore, Mass Healing’s educational outreach director, spoke about his own experience using psilocybin. He said he had a family member with PTSD suggest it to him as a treatment for his severe OCD.

“OCD crippled me and conventional meds didn’t seem to be working,” he said. “The psilocybin reduces symptoms dramatically. I had a lot of health anxiety—a combination of obsessive thoughts and compulsive habits. I took it and it was instantaneous. It changed my mindset.”

He was careful to say it’s a mistake to inflate all psychedelics. Psilocybin has a different profile than others and can be used for depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

There is also preliminary clinical evidence showing it can be anti-inflammatory.

Although like LSD, Moore said LSD has more psychotic effects.

Rick Barnett, Psy.D., LADC, founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont, supports the benefits of psilocybin, but is also cautionary.

“Preparation is so crucial. You need to do your research if you want to start taking them,” he said. “People ask if it can be addictive and I say anybody can develop a bad habit or misuse psychedelics,” Barnett said. “But that’s not a reason to keep it illegal. Psilocybin is the least harmful. I would start by taking a small amount and see what your experience is.”

He indicated a potential downside if you are lackadaisical about ingesting it—not knowing how much you are taking could bring on a “challenging experience.” Having undiagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder could also produce a negative effect.

Jamie Morey, co-founder and executive director of Mass Healing, not only microdoses it herself but her 23-year-old son used it with success for his treatment-resistant depression and severe OCD.

He initially was treated with intravenous ketamine, but the effects were short-lived. Researching alternatives, Morey came across psilocybin as an option. She feels the biggest hurdle is public perception of the treatment.

“People don’t know how safe it is—safer than alcohol. (They) get stuck on the stigma of it rather than taking the time to look at the clinical research,” she said. “But people can understand a legitimate medical use and that’s why the decriminalization bill is going through.”

Morey added, “I think this is the future of mental healthcare.”