Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms”, is gaining traction across the United States as more states consider its legalization for medical and therapeutic purposes.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms.
Following the footsteps of Oregon and Colorado, several states are now moving towards legalizing psilocybin. Here are the five states next in line to potentially legalize psilocybin.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is at the forefront of the psilocybin legalization movement. An initiative to legalize psilocybin has already qualified for the November ballot. If passed, this measure would allow adults to possess, use, and cultivate psilocybin mushrooms. The initiative also aims to establish a regulatory framework for the therapeutic use of psilocybin, providing a new option for individuals seeking alternative treatments for mental health conditions.
Washington State
Washington State is also making strides towards psilocybin legalization. Recently, an initiative that would legalize psilocybin was filed, with proponents aiming to put the measure on the November 2025 ballot. This initiative aims to decriminalize the possession and use of psilocybin, in addition to psilocin, mescaline, and DMT, while establishing a regulated system for its therapeutic use.
In order for the initiative to make the November 2025 ballot, Responsible Entheogen Access and Community Healing Coalition (REACH WA) will need to collect 324,516 signatures from registered Washington State voters by July 2025.
California
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have legalized the possession and use of several psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, citing concerns about the implementation framework. Despite this setback, lawmakers have continued to push for reform. Additionally, there is an ongoing ballot initiative effort to legalize psychedelics for medical and therapeutic use, with proponents aiming to put the measure to a vote in 2025.
New Jersey
Last month both the Assembly Health Committee and the Senate Health Committee passed bicameral legislation that initially would have legalized the personal use of psilocybin for everyone 21 and older, but was amended to apply exclusively to the medical/therapeutic use of the substance.
Under the revised bill, patients with eligible conditions who secure a referral from a licensed healthcare provider would be allowed to legally access psilocybin services. The Department of Health (DOH) would be responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of legal psilocybin, including its production, testing, transportation, sale, and purchase. The bill defines five distinct license categories: manufacturer, service center operator, testing laboratory, facilitator, and psilocybin worker. A Psilocybin Advisory Board would be created to identify qualifying medical conditions for psilocybin use, set service and dosage guidelines, develop safety screenings and informed consent procedures, and regulate the training and conduct of facilitators.
According to recent polling by Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, a strong majority of New Jersey residents support the legalization of psilocybin for medical use, with only 20% opposed.
Vermont
In May, Vermont’s governor signed into law legislation that establishes the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group, designed “to examine the use of psychedelics to improve physical and mental health and to make findings and recommendations regarding the advisability of the establishment of a State program similar to other jurisdictions to permit health care providers to administer psychedelics in a therapeutic setting and the impact on public health of allowing individuals to legally access psychedelics under State law.”
Proponents of reform Vermont’s psilocybin laws believe that this legislation is a major stepping stone towards full legalization.
Medical Benefits
Numerous studies have been released demonstrating the medical potential of psilocybin. This vast potential is one of the reasons it has gained such popularity and attention in recent years. Below are some psilocybin-related studies released this year.
