Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, is gaining increasing attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. While states like Oregon and Colorado have made significant strides toward decriminalization and legalization, Massachusetts is also seeing growing interest in psilocybin. Whether you're curious about the legal status, potential health benefits, or how the state's regulations are evolving, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about psilocybin in Massachusetts. As public opinion shifts and scientific research continues, understanding the landscape of psilocybin in Massachusetts is more important than ever. 

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What is Psilocybin (“Magic Mushrooms”)? 

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms." Chemically, it is a prodrug, meaning that it is biologically inactive until metabolized by the body, where it is converted into psilocin, the compound responsible for its psychoactive effects. Psilocybin and psilocin primarily act on serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which influences mood, perception, and cognition.

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Historically, psilocybin has been used in religious and spiritual practices for thousands of years. More recently, scientific research has explored its potential in treating a range of mental health conditions. Early research has signaled that it may have benefits for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psilocybin induces altered states of consciousness, often described as hallucinations or changes in thought patterns, which researchers believe may help patients access new perspectives and emotional insights during therapy.

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In clinical settings, psilocybin is typically administered in controlled environments with trained professionals to monitor and guide the experience. While psilocybin is still classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law in the United States, ongoing research and evolving state-level regulations are contributing to a growing interest in its potential therapeutic uses.

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Psilocybin in Massachusetts: Legislation & Legal Status 

As of September 2024, psilocybin remains not legal for possession and use in the state of Massachusetts. However, several upcoming legislative measures aim to change that status. In the United States, psilocybin-assisted therapy is currently legal in Oregon (and soon in Colorado) – find the best legal, scientifically-grounded, and professionally guided psilocybin experience for you here. 

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"Question 4": Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances

On November 5, 2024, Massachusetts voters will decide whether to legalize psychedelics for medical use statewide. It is presented in Question 4 as an indirect initiated state statute, also called the “Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances” ballot question. It was proposed by Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), an organization that advocates for access to mental health treatment through psychedelic natural medicine. As MMHO has stated, the purpose of the ballot question is to “create regulated and licensed therapeutic access to natural psychedelic medicines for veterans struggling with PTSD, individuals facing terminal illness, and adults 21 and older dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental illness challenges.” If it is voted into law, it would take effect on December 15, 2024. 

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The proposed law is focused on the limited legalization and regulation of natural psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and psilocin, and several other compounds like mescaline, DMT, and ibogaine. If passed, it would allow individuals aged 21 and over to grow, possess, and use these substances under specific conditions, such as in an approved facility with licensed facilitators for supervised use.

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The law would prohibit retail sales but permit licensed facilities to offer supervised use and collect taxes on these transactions. Additionally, individuals would be allowed to grow psychedelic plants for personal use within a 12x12-foot space and possess limited amounts for personal consumption, including their own mushrooms. Local governments would have the ability to impose further restrictions on the operation of these licensed facilities, and municipalities could regulate or limit the personal use of these substances.

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Question 4 would also establish a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission to regulate the distribution and safe use of these psychedelic drugs. The Commission would be responsible for licensing, safety requirements, training, and overseeing the operation of licensed facilities.

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Decriminalization vs. Legalization Efforts

In 2021, Massachusetts lawmakers in the cities of Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton took significant steps by decriminalizing the possession and use of psilocybin. These local ordinances prioritize law enforcement efforts away from prosecuting individuals for possession of psilocybin and other naturally occurring psychedelics. While these measures do not legalize psilocybin or make it commercially available, they represent a growing trend toward reevaluating the legal status of psychedelics in Massachusetts.

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How to Access Legal Psilocybin in Massachusetts

While it is not currently legal to access psilocybin in Massachusetts, residents will vote on a proposed ballot measure in November 2024 that aims to change this. If passed, it would create a regulated market for psychedelic experiences and allow home cultivation.

The ballot measure would establish the Natural Psychedelic Substances Regulation Fund to support the implementation and oversight of new regulations on psilocybin and other psychedelics. The measure would legalize psychedelic mushrooms in Massachusetts, providing regulated use through licensed facilitators, ensuring safe and controlled use for those seeking therapeutic benefits. While the focus is on supervised, therapeutic use, the measure does not explicitly legalize the recreational use of psychedelic mushrooms. Instead, it emphasizes regulated access through licensed providers and limits personal possession and cultivation to maintain safety and efficacy.

‍Sign up for Odyssey for first access to future legal, professionally guided psychedelic sessions and retreats in Massachusetts. 
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The History of Psilocybin in Massachusetts

Psilocybin’s history in Massachusetts is most notably tied to the controversial Psilocybin Project at Harvard University in the early 1960s. Led by Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (later known as Ram Dass), the project aimed to study the effects of psilocybin on human consciousness. The researchers administered psilocybin to graduate students and volunteers from the local community, including prominent figures like poet Allen Ginsberg. However, their methods, which included taking the substances alongside participants, drew criticism from both Harvard faculty and the broader academic community.

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By 1962, concerns about the ethical conduct of the research, especially the inclusion of undergraduate students, led to a major scandal. Alpert was fired in 1963, and Leary’s contract was not renewed, effectively ending the project. Despite its abrupt conclusion, the project played a pivotal role in bringing psychedelics into the public eye, influencing both the academic discourse on consciousness and the 1960s counterculture movement​. 
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Ongoing Research 

Massachusetts is home to groundbreaking research on the potential of psilocybin and other psychedelics, particularly through Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics. This center, established in 2021, focuses on understanding how psychedelics can reshape brain circuits to treat conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It was created, in part, because of the rising mental health crisis in the United States: “Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in developed countries. Fifty percent of Americans experience mental illness in their lifetime and $350 billion is spent annually on treating depression in the U.S. and Europe alone.” 

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Led by Jerrold Rosenbaum, MD, and Sharmin Ghaznavi, MD, PhD, the center employs advanced neuroimaging techniques to study how psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change and adapt. Their research aims to make current psychedelic treatment more effective and to explore entirely new therapeutic avenues. 

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In one study, the center is exploring how psilocybin impacts rumination, a mental process often linked to depression and anxiety, by examining changes in brain connectivity and activity. Additionally, they are investigating psilocybin’s potential role in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition linked to disordered gut-brain communication​. 

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Another major effort is the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR), launched by Harvard Law School’s Petrie-Flom Center. This project focuses on the legal, ethical, and social implications of integrating psychedelics into medicine and society. POPLAR aims to create a comprehensive legal framework for psychedelics, addressing emerging challenges related to commercialization, medical use, and patient safety as these substances gain broader acceptance in therapeutic settings.

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In addition to POPLAR, Harvard has also established the Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture, an interdisciplinary initiative that spans multiple academic departments, including Harvard Law School, the Divinity School, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This study goes beyond clinical research to explore the cultural, legal, and philosophical implications of psychedelics, including their impact on consciousness, spirituality, and human flourishing. The project seeks to foster a broader understanding of psychedelics by facilitating interdisciplinary dialogues and research across fields like law, ethics, and the humanities
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Medical and Therapeutic Applications

Mental Health Treatment

Psilocybin has shown significant promise in treating a variety of physical and mental health disorders. Most prominently, the FDA has recognized it as a “breakthrough therapy” for depression. Clinical trials have demonstrated that psychedelic-assisted therapy can significantly reduce depression and anxiety with only 1-2 doses. These effects can last for months with minimal downsides, with a comparable or even greater relief than traditional SSRI medications. 

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There are other potential health benefits of psilocybin use outside of depression and anxiety. Some research has found that psychedelic mushrooms can be helpful in end-of-life care, particularly when treating anxiety in terminally ill patients with diseases like cancer. Other promising research has indicated that psilocybin may be an effective treatment for addictive disorders. When paired with psychotherapy, psilocybin treatment significantly reduced heavy drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Early research also suggests that it may provide benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. 

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Read: Psilocybin Therapy for Depression and Psilocybin Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Potential Risks and Benefits

Psilocybin-assisted therapy has the potential to go beyond treating specific mental health disorders. Research has found that psilocybin may promote neural plasticity in the human brain – and even promote neurogenesis – in certain areas of the brain. It may also have anti-inflammatory properties, which would help it become a treatment for neurological conditions like neurodegenerative diseases. 

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One promising feature of psilocybin-assisted therapy is the potency and long-lasting effects of a single dose. Studies have indicated that one dose can provide benefits that last up to a year. This is a much more compelling alternative than most traditional antidepressants, which must be taken on a regular basis. 

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Psilocybin is generally regarded as physiologically safe. It can come with potential risks, however, particularly for those with underlying health conditions. The most common risks include interactions with prescription medications and the potential worsening of existing psychiatric disorders (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.). Ensuring responsible use, through professionally guided and scientifically backed retreats and sessions, like those at Odyssey, is vital for safe and effective psilocybin experiences. Get matched to the right experience for you. 

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Read: The Safety of Psilocybin Therapy 
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Conclusion

Psilocybin in Massachusetts is at a turning point, with growing interest in its potential therapeutic benefits and a push for legal change. The proposed ballot measure for 2024 aims to legalize and regulate certain natural psychedelics (including psilocybin), potentially opening doors to new treatments for mental health conditions. As Massachusetts grapples with these changes, it's crucial to stay informed about the current news regarding the use and regulation of psychedelic mushrooms. The coming years may bring significant changes to how we view and use these substances, with far-reaching implications for mental health care and personal freedom. 

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For safe, legal, and professionally guided psilocybin experiences, find the perfect group retreat or private session for you at Odyssey. 
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FAQs

Are magic mushrooms legal in Massachusetts? 

• The possession, use, and sale of magic mushrooms is currently not legal in Massachusetts. However, Massachusetts voters will decide on a proposed ballot measure on November 5, 2024 which has the potential to provide a legal framework for accessing psilocybin and other natural psychedelics at licensed centers. 
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Where is psilocybin legal? 

• In the United States, psilocybin is legal in Oregon and is becoming legal in Colorado. The substance has also been decriminalized across some cities in Colorado, California, and Massachusetts, among other states. Internationally, countries like Jamaica and the Netherlands allow legal access to some psychedelics, including psilocybin mushrooms.
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Where can I legally access psilocybin in Massachusetts?

• Currently, there are no legal therapeutic centers in Massachusetts where you can access psilocybin. Sign up for Odyssey for first access to legal psilocybin-assisted services in Massachusetts. 
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What psilocybin mushrooms grow in Massachusetts?

• Wild psilocybin mushrooms in Massachusetts can be found in natural environments, such as woodlands and grassy areas. Some species that grow in Massachusetts include Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe semilanceata, though it's important to note that their possession or use remains illegal.
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Is DMT legal?

• DMT, like psilocybin, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, including Massachusetts. This means that its use, possession, or sale is illegal, and it is not currently approved for any legal therapeutic or recreational purposes. However, DMT is included on the ballot measure that residents will vote on in November 2024. 

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