Local Group Pushes to Decriminalize ‘Magic Mushrooms’

Psilocybin mushrooms, sometimes called magic mushrooms, have achieved “breakthrough therapy” status from the federal government as a depression treatment, and a local group is working to decriminalize the drug in Memphis.

Memphis-based Psilo issued a petition last month in an effort to convince Memphis City Council members to pass a resolution “to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and begin a psilocybin task force.”

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave psilocybin its formal “breakthrough therapy” designation for the possible treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The process intends to speed the development and review of drugs for serious conditions that show big improvements over drugs now available.