Utah Group aims to legalize shrooms in the state

A group in Utah wants to legalize psilocybin in the state.

The aptly named non-profit Utah Mushroom Therapy has started a petition to “strongly encourage Utah legislators to pass bipartisan legislation permitting the legal use of psilocybin for clinical and academic purposes and including protections for individuals born after the… Practicing Religious Freedom Restoration Law. ”

Utah Mushroom Therapy intends to submit the petition to members of the Senate next month. The group’s effort comes nearly a year after the state’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation creating a task force to investigate the use of psychedelics as a mental health treatment.

According to the group, the creation of the task force means that “the legalization and decriminalization of psilocybin in Utah is now very likely but still needs public support.”

Utah Mushroom Therapy outlines a number of reasons for supporting the legalization of mushrooms for therapy and research, arguing that it could improve mental health and support spiritual practice.

“Numerous solid studies have shown that psilocybin therapy is beneficial in reducing treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental disorders. It is far more effective than synthetic pharmaceuticals. Psilocybin has also been shown to be effective in relieving anxiety and anxiety in people with terminal cancer. For example, a landmark study conducted by John Hopkins Medicine found that psilocybin reported improved mood and mental health after taking a single clinical dose,” the group says on its website.

“The use of mushrooms has been documented in 15 indigenous groups in America and various religious communities in Utah. This petition supports those groups who want to use psilocybin safely, honestly, and as a necessary part of their religion. The use of psilocybin is not inconsistent with other cultures in Utah and is protected by the First Amendment and the Restoration of Religious Liberty Act. This petition is to advocate for Utah law to protect the religious rights of Utah residents,” the group continued.

Additionally, the group says legalizing mushrooms would reduce crime and serve as a safe and effective treatment.

“Psilocybin is a natural, non-toxic substance. Despite this, it is currently a Schedule I substance. Scientists have shown it to have profound medicinal value and believe that serotonergic hallucinogens support cognitive processes and should be decriminalized. Psychedelics can alter perception and mood, help people soften their perspective and vision, and process events that might otherwise lead to substance abuse, trauma, and criminal behavior,” the group says on its website.

“Psilocybin mushrooms are considered to be one of the least toxic drugs known to man. Deaths attributed exclusively to psilocybin mushrooms are extremely rare. To put this in perspective, internationally there were 30,811 antidepressant drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2020,” the group added.

In urging Utah voters to sign, the group emphasizes that the “petition is in no way an endorsement of illicit drug use.”

“By signing this petition, you support the safe and legal use of psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound,” says the group.

Psilocybin and hallucinogens represent the next frontier in the legalization movement as state and local officials increasingly reconsider the once taboo substances.

On New Year’s Day, Oregon became the first state in the US to legalize adult use of psilocybin after voters there approved a ballot measure in 2020.

That proposal, Measure 109, “allowed local authorities to oppose Measure 109 by forwarding voters either two-year moratoria or bans on psilocybin services,” the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported in November.

“Authorities in 27 Oregon counties and 114 cities and towns have urged voters to consider two-year moratoria or bans. Among the latter, only two — Phoenix in Jackson County and Wheeler in Tillamook County — have authorized psilocybin services,” the outlet said. “Nonetheless, most of Oregon’s most populous counties and cities have paved the way for psilocybin production through authorized facilities. Proponents of psilocybin services say therapy with the hallucinogen will be available locally to nearly 3 million Oregon residents by 2023. Overall, 17 of Oregon’s 20 most populous cities allow psilocybin services along with 11 Oregon counties.”