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The age of legal magic mushrooms has now come to an end.

Drugs and drink

Magic mushrooms and the law

There was once a time when picking and taking fresh magic mushrooms was perfectly legal and easily available to buy at festivals. This time has now come to an end. Don't get caught out - read on for the new rules on 'shrooms.

The law

Until 2005, the sale of fresh magic mushrooms was legal due to a loophole in the law. The Drugs Bill 2005 has now closed this loophole.

Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin, and under the Misuse of Drugs Act these hallucinogenic chemicals are Class A drugs like heroin, crack and cocaine. The new bill will class fresh magic mushrooms as a "preparation" of psilocin or psilocybin, and therefore possession of magic mushrooms (fresh and prepared) is now illegal.

Fly Agaric mushrooms are also hallucinogenic but they contain no psilocybin or psilocin and so are not illegal. However they are difficult to take safely, and there's much debate over whether Fly Agaric mushrooms are deadly or not.

Magic mushrooms are a Class A drug

Class A drugs carry the most serious charges. Maximum penalties you can face are:

  • Seven years' imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for possession.
  • Life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for supplying or dealing.
  • Life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for possession with intent to supply.

Drug convictions will also affect your chances of future employment, as many employers would not consider your application, and you may find it hard to get into such countries as America and Australia.