Federal Law Enforcement Cracks Down on Magic Mushroom Seizures Amidst Rising Popularity in Colorado
There’s been a significant increase in the seizure of magic mushrooms by law enforcement agencies in Colorado and across the nation from 2017 to 2022, according to a recent federally funded study.
Despite efforts by Colorado voters to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, these substances remain illegal under federal law, leading to intensified police enforcement against their possession and distribution.
According to the study, as reported by Axios, Colorado ranked fifth among states with the highest number of mushroom confiscations, with a total of 221 seizures during the specified period. Ohio topped the list with 395 seizures. Nationally, law enforcement recorded 1,396 psilocybin mushroom seizures in 2022, a substantial increase from the 402 seizures reported in 2017.
The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed total weight of magic mushrooms seized by law enforcement, increasing from 498 pounds in 2017 to 1,861 pounds in 2022. In terms of volume, Colorado ranked seventh among states.
Colorado is expected to issue the first licenses for healing centers, where supervised psilocybin use will be allowed, later this year. However, it is important to emphasize that these licenses do not authorize the unrestricted recreational use of magic mushrooms. They are intended for therapeutic purposes under professional supervision.
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Denver made headlines in 2019 as the first city to decriminalize mushrooms, and in 2022, Colorado voters decided to legalize them. While these actions may suggest an increasingly positive attitude towards magic mushrooms among some in Colorado, federal law and law enforcement efforts supersede state and local initiatives.
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