Are Psychedelic Spores Legal?
The legal status of psychedelic spores, particularly those of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, is a complex and nuanced subject in the United States—not unlike the topic of whether psychedelic therapy is legal or not.
While there are legal ways to partake in therapeutic psychedelics, we have a long time to go before the entire country is on board with legalizing psychedelic medicines, but it hasn’t stopped people from buying grow kits and spore syringes and trying it out themselves.
And in spite of psychedelic research clearly indicating strong therapeutic uses and benefits—such as improving anxiety and managing chronic pain—these substances are still highly illegal.
The laws pertaining to these spores vary between the federal level and individual state jurisdictions, with notable distinctions between the legality of spores and the corresponding mushroom bodies containing psilocybin.
At the federal level, the Controlled Substances Act classifies psilocybin and psilocin—the psychoactive compounds found in psychedelic mushrooms—as illegal, making any product or object containing those compounds illegal.
The Act designates psilocybin and psilocin as Schedule I substances, giving the purchase, sale, cultivation, or possession of them a more serious penalty than even fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine—which are all Schedule II substances.
However, a significant distinction exists when it comes to the spores of psychedelic mushrooms. The Controlled Substances Act does not explicitly mention spores or mycelium in its list of controlled substances.
This is primarily because spores do not contain psilocybin or psychoactive alkaloids. Therefore, possession, sale, or cultivation of psychedelic mushroom spores is not prohibited at the federal level.
As soon as those spores germinate and produce psychoactive alkaloids in a fruiting body, they become illegal. For this reason, certain states have distinct laws pertaining to spores and mushrooms, which we will cover in the next section.
State by State Legislation on Psychedelic Mushroom Spores
We will cover the areas in which psychedelic mushroom usage has been decriminalized (making the topic of spore cultivation more easily defined as decriminalized), the areas in which spores have been prohibited, and general federal laws which apply to the remaining states.
Decriminalized States & Jurisdictions:
The following states and jurisdictions have decriminalized the possession, sale, purchase, and cultivation of magic mushrooms, which allows for the possession, sale, purchase, and cultivation of psychedelic mushroom spores:
- Oregon, with a manufacturer license (thanks to Oregon Measure 109)
- Colorado (thanks to Colorado Prop 122 and Senate Bill 23-290)
- Washington D.C.
- Arcata, California
- Oakland, California (check out our article on psychedelic law in California)
- Santa Cruz, California
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Hazel Park, Michigan
- Somerville, Massachusetts
- Northampton, Massachusetts
- Easthampton, Massachusetts
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Seattle, Washington
Prohibitory States for Spores:
The following states have specifically prohibited the possession, sale, purchase, or cultivation of psychedelic mushroom spores:
- California
- Georgia
- Idaho
General State Laws
If your state or jurisdiction was not accounted for in the previous lists, it is likely legal to purchase, sell, and possess psychedelic mushroom spores but not legal to cultivate them into psilocybin or psilocin-containing mushrooms.
This is in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act which mentions only psilocybin and psilocin, but not specific substances which may or may not contain those hallucinogenic compounds.
While there was some debate over whether or not spores are considered “items used in drug manufacture,” New Mexico ruled that growing mushrooms does not constitute manufacturing them—until the mushroom becomes dried or extracted.
In the Louisiana State Act 159, it was ruled that ornamental purposes for growing, selling, purchasing or possessing psilocybin spores and conocybe spores are acceptable, but for any other reason, they are illegal.
“The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the possession, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a hallucinogenic plant strictly for aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purposes,” it states.
Amongst this list are many ceremonial and useful plants such as Calea zacatechichi and Mimosa hostilis, many of which are sleep or mood enhancing but have no profound psychoactive properties.
It is essential to note that laws and regulations can change over time, and it is advisable to consult local and state authorities or legal experts for the most up-to-date information regarding the legality of psychedelic spores in a specific state.
The Best Spore Vendor & At-Home Mushroom Grow Kits
Choosing the right method for cultivating mushrooms at home can be a daunting task, given the plethora of options available. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve narrowed down our focus to two companies: North Spore and Midwest Grow Kits. In addition, Inoculate The World takes first place as our top recommendation for premium mushroom spores.
Our selection is based on their reputation for offering straightforward, cost-effective, and efficient mushroom cultivation solutions. It’s crucial to note that our recommendation is not influenced by affiliate partnerships; rather, these companies have become affiliates due to their commitment to providing valuable and reliable information to our readers.
Explore Harm Reduction Products:
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- The Best Purity Test Kits for Psychedelic Therapy
- How to Test The Potency of Psychedelics At Home: Mushrooms, LSD, MDMA
North Spore (10% Off With ‘PSYCHPASSAGE’)
Founded in 2014 by a mycologist, an organic farmer and a photojournalist, North Spore is dedicated to making mushroom cultivation accessible to all. They offer a diverse range of products, including premium sawdust, plug, and grain spawn, mushroom grow kits, fruiting blocks, sterile substrates, and medicinal mushroom supplements.
North Spore places a strong emphasis on customer service, ensuring swift order processing, multiple contact options, and a hassle-free return policy.
Boomr Bin Monotub Grow Kit – $150
Shop ‘Boomr Bin’ Monotub Grow Kit
Their ‘Boomr Bin’ Monotub Grow Kit, priced at $150, is a standout choice for manure-loving mushrooms, reusable housing, improved humidity control, and enhanced airflow.
Midwest Grow Kits (5% Off With ‘PPVIP5’)
In partnership with Midwest Organics, Midwest Grow Kits has been a leading supplier of bulk mushroom substrate and automated cultivation kits for over 18 years. Established in 2011, they aim to make mushroom cultivation accessible to hobbyists.
Midwest Grow Kits prioritizes customer satisfaction with fast shipping, diverse contact options, and reasonable return and refund policies.
All-In-One Mushroom Grow Bag – $19.99
Their ‘All-In-One Mushroom Grow Bag,’ priced at $19.99, is perfect for compact setups, offering a “set it and forget it” approach with easy disposal after harvest.
Mega Mushroom Growing & Incubator Kit – $124.99
Shop Mega Mushroom Growing & Incubator Kit
For serious growers seeking precision, Midwest Grow Kits offers the ‘Mega Mushroom Growing & Incubator Kit’ at $124.99. This advanced kit provides precise control over variables like lighting, heating, and humidity, making it ideal for high-volume production.
Inoculate The World – Your Trusted Spore Source
Inoculate The World, established in 2016, is our top recommended medicinal mushroom spore vendor. Known for their legitimacy and excellent support, they offer a wide range of psilocybin mushroom strains.
With a commitment to open-sourcing genetics and timely shipping, they provide reliable spore syringes for both novice and experienced researchers.
Explore the world of mushroom cultivation with confidence, guided by our recommendations for the best grow kits and spore vendors. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cultivator, these companies offer solutions tailored to your needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Psilocybin Mushroom Spores
Q: Are spores legal to purchase and possess?
In the United States, spores of psilocybin-containing mushrooms are legal to purchase and possess, because they do not contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin.
However, California, Georgia, and Idaho have specific laws prohibiting possession or purchase of psychedelic mushroom spores.
Q: Can spores be used for cultivating psilocybin mushrooms at home?
Yes, spores are used to grow psilocybin mushrooms. Hobbyists and researchers often acquire spores for personal cultivation.
It is crucial to remember that, while the purchase of spores may be legal, cultivating psilocybin mushrooms with the spores is illegal.
Q: Can I purchase psilocybin mushroom spores online?
Yes, you can purchase psilocybin spores online. We always recommend purchasing spores from Inoculate The World. This family-owned business boasts exceptional product quality and consistency, offering a large variety of magic mushroom strains.
Shipping is quick and discrete, and their website features an array of informative research-based articles which can help you make personalized decisions about your mushroom growing journey.
