With more and more coming out lately about Amanita muscaria mushrooms – their benefits, legality, effects, and so on – one question on many people’s minds is whether this type of magic mushroom is legal where they live or not. The good news is, they most likely are. There are very few areas throughout the entire world that have laws against Fly Agaric mushrooms. However, if you live in one of the spots listed below, you’ll likely have a more difficult time obtaining this psychedelic fungus.
What are Amanita muscaria mushrooms?
Amanita muscaria, often referred to as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a member of the Basidiomycota family of fungi, of the genus Amanita. The reason “fly” is added to the common name of these mushrooms is because they contain a compound that attracts and kills flies, and possibly mosquitos as well.
The fly agaric is native to the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere including Europe, North America, and Siberia/Northern Asia. It’s a highly adaptable mushrooms species that can now be found throughout many other parts of world. It’s typically found growing under various deciduous and conifer trees, such as birch and pine.
Amanita muscaria mushrooms have round, dome-shaped, red caps with white spots and white gills. They are undoubtedly one of the most recognizable of the toadstool mushroom species. You’ve likely seen them in movies such as Alice in Wonderland, video games like Mario and Assassin’s Creed, and many more media sources.
The active ingredients in Fly Agarics are muscimol and ibotenic acid. However, the ibotenic acid, which is responsible for the sickness and “toxicity” commonly reported from these mushrooms, converts to muscimol during decarboxylation. Decarbing is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2), typically through the application of heat. If amanita products are prepared correctly, then at least 70 percent (preferably more) of the ibotenic acid will become muscimol. This will prevent the consumer from experiencing most of the sickness and other negative symptoms that are linked to these mushrooms.
Muscimol works by activating the major inhibitory neurotransmitter system, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). As an inhibitory system, muscimol suppresses the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which is how the psychoactive effects are produced.
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What states/countries/regions have laws against Amanita muscaria?
Normally I would choose to list countries or regions that do permit a substance, but when it comes to Amanita muscaria, it’s much faster and easier to mention where they are prohibited, since it’s only a handful of locations. Since muscimol mushrooms are less common/popular than psilocybin ones, many lawmakers simply never considered banning them. Below are the 5 places in the world where Amanita muscaria shrooms are illegal.
Louisiana, USA
Louisiana is the only state that has a ban in place against muscimol mushrooms. In Louisiana, it’s illegal to grow, possess, sell, or buy Amanita muscaria mushrooms (except for ornamental purposes), as per Louisiana State Act 159.
Although muscimol products are still legal in the rest of the US, it is possible for other states to follow in Louisiana’s footsteps. In most states, especially those that are already working towards updating their laws on psychedelics, it’s highly unlikely. However, it’s not impossible and could very well happen to protect developing psilocybin markets, similar to how Colorado has legal cannabis but a ban on Delta 8. Also, in more restrictive states (like my current home state of Indiana), I wouldn’t be surprised to see increased regulation on Amanita products as they become more sought out.
Romania
In Romania, Amanita muscaria mushrooms have been prohibited since 2010, although previously they could be gathered and sold in smart shops around the country. They grow in the wild in Romania, as do many other types of hallucinogenic fungi, so just because they’re not available for sale does not mean that people are not out foraging for them, especially in rural areas where it’s highly unlikely that anyone would get in trouble for possession. That being said, under Romanian law all psychedelic compounds (aside from LSD and PCP) are categorized as Class I, high risk substances, and they are highly illegal carrying penalties of up to 3 years in prison.
Thailand
The use, storage, transportation and distribution of Amanita mushrooms is illegal in Thailand. As per Thai law, hallucinogenic mushrooms belong to the “five categories” of drugs. However, there is a thriving magic mushroom market in some of the more touristy/party areas of the country, and one can easily find vendors who are selling such products. The country has also been toying with the idea of loosening restrictions on psilocybin mushrooms. While that doesn’t say much for amanita, it does indicate a new and more relaxed attitude toward hallucinogens in general.
The Netherlands
This may come as a surprise to many, but all magic mushrooms are illegal in the Netherlands. Although magic truffles (a dormant form of fungus, known as sclerotia, which also contains psilocybin) remain legal, shrooms have been banned in the country since December 2008. Both psilocybin and muscimol mushrooms are illegal, and that includes Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina. Under Dutch law, possession of 0.5 grams of dried shrooms, or 5 grams of fresh ones, can lead to criminal charges.
Australia
Amanita muscaria is illegal in Australia as muscimol is a schedule 9 drug. The Australian drug schedule goes as follows: Schedule 1: currently does not contain any drugs or medications. Schedule 2: Pharmacy Medicine. Schedule 3: Pharmacist Only Medicine. Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine. Schedule 5: Caution. Schedule 6: Poison. Schedule 7: Dangerous Drug. Schedule 8: Controlled Drug. Schedule 9: Controlled Substance. Schedule 10: Dangerous Substances. Most psychedelics are schedule 9, expect for ayahuasca which is a schedule 10, and cannabis is schedule 8.
Is Amanita Muscaria Illegal? Final thoughts
As of now, those 5 locations are they only ones that have banned amanita muscaria mushrooms and/or muscimol products. That being said, it’s possible that other areas will follow suit. But if you live in an area with progressive drug laws, or a region where they don’t grow in the wild and they continue to fly under the radar… then rest assured, as they will likely remain legal in your neck of the woods.
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