Magic Mushroom Legality Around the World

Disclaimer: Psilocybin is a potentially illegal substance and we do not encourage you to use mushrooms if it is not lawful to do so in your area.

Psilocybin is one of the most common naturally-occurring psychedelic substances in the world. It is found in over 200 species of mushrooms, known colloquially as magic mushrooms. They are so common that you may have a magic mushroom patch growing in your own backyard, or in a nearby field or forest.

Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of traditional use; from indigenous Australians over 10,000 years ago, to modern Mexican peoples who still hold magic mushroom ceremonies today.

Learn more about the basics of magic mushrooms in our Beginner’s guide.

Are Magic Mushrooms Legal?

Psilocybin and psilocin, the main psychoactive ingredients in magic mushrooms, are prohibited substances in many countries. As such, shrooms are also illegal to possess, grow, sell or purchase in most places.

The UN’s Vienna Convention of 1971 was an attempt to crack down on the rise of synthetic drugs such as LSD and MDMA, and it led to the creation of highly ignorant laws in its member countries, such as the US Psychotropic Substances Act and the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act. The Vienna Convention specifically mentions psilocybin and psilocin as schedule I substances; however, it does not clarify whether organic materials containing psilocybin/psilocin are also prohibited.

This means that some countries have interpreted the Vienna Convention to mean that psilocybin mushrooms are not as illegal as psilocybin itself, and have made exceptions for its cultivation, use or sale.

Where are Magic Mushrooms Legal?

In Brazil, it is legal to possess, consume, and sell magic mushrooms – even though the substance psilocybin is technically illegal. Brazilian law requires that illegal activities have specific laws written about them, and there are none related to fresh mushroom cultivation or sale.

Although the British Virgin Islands prohibits the sale and transport of magic mushrooms, possession and personal use is legal. You may even notice vendors selling them to tourists without apparent consequences.

Jamaica doesn’t seem to have a problem with magic mushroom use, and there are even a number of shroom retreats in the country.

In the Netherlands, although psilocybin mushrooms are illegal, a loophole in the law allows for the cultivation, purchase, and use of “magic truffles.” Truffles are just a different stage of development of a mushroom, and truffles of psilocybin mushroom species still contain hefty quantities of psilocybin. They can be bought online from some vendors.

In Austria, the use of psilocybin mushrooms is decriminalized, but you may be required to attend therapy if you’re found with them. You can also grow your own mushrooms, as long as they’re for aesthetic purposes and you don’t ingest them…

Canada places restrictions on psilocybin mushrooms, but you can legally purchase mushroom spores, and even magic mushroom microdoses (more info here). We would advise against growing magic mushrooms for ingestion, as this could be interpreted as manufacture of a prohibited substance under Canadian law.

Magic mushrooms have an uncertain legal status in Costa Rica, and psychedelic retreats operate in the open. As yet there appear to have been no arrests related to magic mushrooms in Costa Rica.

The cultivation of magic mushrooms has been decriminalized in the Czech Republic, as long as you are only growing a “small” amount. Possession of “large” amounts is still illegal (but it’s hard to know what these quantities are).

In Italy, magic mushrooms are somewhat decriminalized – you won’t go to prison for possessing small amounts, but you may face administrative punishments like losing your driving license.

Psilocybin is officially illegal to possess, cultivate and sell in Mexico; however, authorities turn a blind eye to sacramental or traditional use and cultivation of fresh mushrooms, as the Vienna Convention makes an exception for sacramental use of plant medicines.

Magic mushrooms are decriminalized in Portugal, meaning you can possess small amounts without going to jail. However you’ll end up going to court-mandated rehabilitation or therapy if you get caught.

In Spain, the personal use of magic mushrooms has been decriminalized. There is ambiguity surrounding the use of grow kits and spores, and the possession of small amounts of fresh mushrooms. It’s best to not take any risks.

The United States has some big exceptions to the prohibition of psilocybin. Surprisingly, it’s legal to buy magic mushroom spores in most states (as long as you aren’t going to use them to actually grow mushrooms). Some states also prohibit the sale of spores (currently California, Georgia and Idaho). Amazingly, it’s legal to grow psilocybin mushrooms in New Mexico – and there’s even a religious group devoted to their sacramental use. Magic mushrooms have been decriminalized in several cities including Denver and Oakland, and other US cities may follow this example and make their own specific magic mushroom laws. In 2020, Oregon made history in becoming the first US state to pass blanket decriminalization of all drugs.

Are There Legal Alternatives to Magic Mushrooms?

If you live somewhere that prohibits magic mushrooms, you may not have many legal options for obtaining them. Check whether your country allows for the purchase of grow kits or spores, as you may be able to cultivate shrooms even if psilocybin is illegal.

If you live in the EU, you may be able to purchase magic truffles from a vendor located in the Netherlands; some ship to other countries, and magic truffles may not be covered by the laws in your country.

Some “research chemicals,” such as 4-AcO-DMT, have been designed to mimic the effects of psilocybin, and are legal in some countries. However we advise against purchasing unknown chemicals from unregulated sources. It’s much safer to go out mushroom foraging!

Where do I Find Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms grow in almost every continent on Earth (except Antarctica). They are mostly found in forested areas close to bodies of water, or sometimes in fields occupied by grazing animals.

Foraging for magic mushrooms is easy; you just need to go into the countryside and look around! Follow our handy mushroom identification guide to discover the most common varieties of magic mushrooms in your country!

How do I Get Started with Growing Magic Mushrooms?

If you live somewhere that allows the cultivation of magic mushrooms, you have an exciting opportunity to grow your very own plant medicine.

In some places, you can even order spores online, making the whole process a lot easier.

Keen on growing from scratch? DoubleBlind offers a comprehensive mushroom growing course, including seven video lessons and live access to experts. Sign up with the code “ENTHEO” for 20% off!

Advert for the DoubleBlind mushroom growing course

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are mushrooms legal in Europe?

In Austria there are no restrictions for fresh mushrooms and the personal use of dried mushrooms is decriminalized. It’s also completely legal to cultivate mushrooms, as long as they’re not going to be consumed as drugs.

In Italy, Portugal, and Spain magic mushrooms have been decriminalized to different extents.

In the Netherlands you can consume magic truffles.

Always check your local laws before buying, consuming or growing magic mushrooms.

Are mushrooms legal in Costa Rica?

Magic Mushrooms have an uncertain legal status in Costa Rica – magic mushroom retreats appear to operate without harassment from authorities, but you may be at risk outside these retreat centers.

Are magic mushrooms legal in Mexico?

Magic Mushrooms are illegal in Mexico in general, but they are allowed if growing in the wild or used in traditional purposes by indigenous cultures.

Where is psilocybin legal?

Psilocybin is currently legal in:

  • Jamaica
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands (as truffles)
  • Samoa
  • Brazil
  • Bahamas
  • British Virgin Islands (possession and personal use, not sale or growing).

Always check your local laws, and remember that regulations and prohibitions can change quickly!

About Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith is a biologist and writer who has been working in the psychedelic community for several years. Twitter: @rjpatricksmith

18 Comments

  1. cynergihealth@gmail.com' Harry on November 29, 2019 at 5:55 am

    Now, I get to know the full information about where the magic mushroom is legal. Thanks for sharing this blog! Keep posting!

    • matthewisaacson37@gmail.com' Matthew Isaacson on October 22, 2020 at 10:11 pm

      Is it legal to buy shroom truffles online in Wisconsin?

  2. champignonmagique.ca@gmail.com' Jeff Lebowe on March 3, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Great article Patrick! Psilocybin mushrooms are also decriminalized in Italy!

  3. alexwilliams2013@gmail.com' Alex Williams on April 16, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    Hey! I live in Italy and I was planning on having some shroom truffles sent to me from a reliable company. Do you know if that’s legal? and how much do you think I could have shipped to me? Basically, what are the laws around shrooms here?

  4. Hankbobbins@yahoo.com' H on June 11, 2020 at 12:19 am

    Sure many purists will say this is a dreadful and wasteful way. Sure once I’m in the swing of things I’ll realise that.
    But I’m running a far higher strike rate using the Uncle Ben’s Tek than any other I’ve encountered. And round where I am, dried mushrooms are selling at £220-£280 per oz. I’ve enough live cultures (without even making up my own) and enough substrate and rice pouches to only need about one to work out reasonably ok and I’ll have a heroic dose and a whole load of knowledge in place for my next effort.

  5. quass@quass.com' brian quass on August 27, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    It’s amazing that Portugal and Austria send you for rehabilitation for using magic mushrooms. What are they going to teach you in rehabilitation? That Mother Nature is a drug kingpin rather than a goddess? Surely that’s an ideology, not health advice. The legal alternative to shrooms (at least for the depressed) are highly addictive and ineffective Big Pharma meds that one has to take every day of their life. Are they going to teach the offender that they should be getting addicted to Big Pharma meds instead of accessing the plants and fungi that grow unbidden around them? That’s re-education according to drug war ideology and has nothing to do with health. It’s re-education a la Joseph Stalin, in an ideology. It’s requiring the detainee to become a Christian Scientist with respect to mood-altering medicine. Such re-education is more unjust than punishing them with a jail sentence.

    • Edward.rygalski@gmail.com' Edward Rygalski on November 19, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      Love this

  6. parovbeaumont@gmail.com' Corrado on October 5, 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Hey Alex!

    Currently in Italy Magic Mushrooms are decriminalized, and mushroom spores/grow kits are fully legal. I would still be wary of ordering more than 1oz online. Your absolute safest option is to order spores or a grow kit and grow them in your closet

    • nico.carraro.2001@gmail.com' Luigi on October 15, 2020 at 5:02 am

      Hey, do you know if it is also legal to make and sell grow kits in Italy?

    • irenastankovic@yahoo.com' Irena on October 27, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      Hi I live in Italy, can I buy mushroom grow kits in Italy, or do I order online?

  7. parovbeaumont@gmail.com' Parov on October 21, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    The city of Ann Arbour has also recently decriminalized Psilocybin mushrooms!

  8. Sasssy2@iCloud.com' Sandy on February 5, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    My son has very deep depression and they have tried many pills Also lithium twice and he gets worse when he goes off them goes off them because he hates feeling like a zombie. So either depressed or no feelings at all. At least with depression he can still find some happiness a few days a month. It’s so sad. Is there anywhere is U.S. I can obtain the microdosing capsules? I live in Arizona . They gave him a medical marijuana card but he hates stuff that too. It makes him feel weird and no energy. It mill me to hear he is in hiding at his home and for days in bed.anyone could help me I’d appreciate it so much.I’m afraid I may get a call that no mother ever wants … it is getting worse these days and don’t know how to help him. Please anyone?

    • Patrick Smith on February 11, 2021 at 10:54 am

      Try googling Provithor

    • lang4family@yahoo.de' Jane Kerry on February 16, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      Hi Sandy,

      I have the same situation with my daughter. After watching a show about two weeks ago about Psilo… I started my search and found a company in the US. I just ordered today. Go to [we don’t allow URLs in comments -administrator] but make sure you go to the store. Other companies with this name are offering therapy. This company sells the product in capsules in doses starting at 25mg. Good luck! I hope this information reaches you in time. It will take 3 days according to the website to process your Zell payment. You can also pay with Bitcoin. It takes a total of about 10 days, maybe you can get them to rush this to you. There is another online company from the Netherlands [we don’t allow URLs in comments -administrator] they ship internationally. With them they suggest you buy a small quantity in case it gets confiscated, they ship discreetly.

  9. foxtailedcritter@gmail.com' Foxtailedcritter on February 15, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    Wait so in Jamaica it’s legal.
    I know you can spend thousands at some resort but is there like a way you can save the thousands and just buy it at a stall at a market? In theory it’s legal so why not?

    I have respect for the resort’s but simply do not possess the thousands and would rather be on my own during my journey and healing!

    • Patrick Smith on February 16, 2021 at 8:29 am

      You’d be free to do that! However there are many benefits to having a guided experience.

  10. Ronesh500@gmail.com' Ron esh on April 18, 2021 at 1:33 am

    Are shrooms legal to possess and grow in Africa.

  11. Skepticelt@gmail.com' Skepticelt on December 5, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    Here is where our government is standing in the way of progress. They need to get rid of all laws were there is no victim. Let everyone stand as independent operators.
    Nanny state.
    I am suspicious that the restriction of these drugs is based upon a monetary policy. The big drug companies don’t want any home remedies or alternative therapies. They call this free enterprise?

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