Is It Legal To Buy Magic Mushrooms Spores In The UK?
Let’s cut right to the chase. Yes, it is indeed legal to buy magic mushroom spores in the UK.
This fact often comes as a surprise to many, but the reason for their legal status is actually quite simple. Let us explain…
The Legal History of Magic Mushrooms in the UK
Not so long ago, it was completely legal to buy fresh. (meaning unprepared or non-dried) magic mushrooms in the UK. That’s right, you used to be able to buy them at your local headshop for a few quid a go.
All over the country, stalls would be set out offering the latest and greatest strains. a tempting display for psychonaut. The industry was booming, or should we say ‘mushrooming’. What a crazy time to be alive it was!
One of the many stalls selling fresh magic mushrooms that popped up across the countrybefore 2005.
But, the party poopers at downing street had different ideas. In 2005, the government’s Drugs Act 2005 came into force. The act banned the sale of magic mushrooms, whether fresh, dried, packaged or otherwise.
According to Talk to Frank:
“The 2005 Drugs Act amended the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. To clarify that both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) magic mushrooms containing psilocin. or psilocybin (such as the liberty cap) are Class A drugs. This means it’s illegal to have this type of magic mushroom for yourself, to give away or to sell.”
It would seem then that the era of legal magic mushroom is well and over. But, there are some seeds (or spores?) of hope for the mushroom enthusiast.
What About Magic Mushroom Spores?
Before we delve into the legality of mushroom spores in the UK, let’s touch on what a mushroom spore is. The definition is very important in this context.
A mushroom spore is the seed of a fungus. like seeds, spores contain all the genetic information needed to create the next generation of a fungus.
Magic mushroom spores do not contain any psilocin or psilocybin. the active banned compounds in magic mushrooms. These substances only become present later on in the mushroom’s life cycle. when mushrooms (the fruiting bodies of a fungus) are produce.
For a more detailed look, check out our blog on the mushroom life cycle.
The spores of magic mushrooms do not contain the banned compounds psilocin or psilocybin. The compounds are only found in the mushroom fruiting body.
Thus, magic mushroom spores are legal to buy and sell, because they do not contain any banned compounds. But, what they become when cultivated (magic mushrooms) is most definitely illegal.
It’s all a bit of a head-scratcher and highlights the tricky, and absurd, UK drug laws. But that’s a topic for another day!
So What Can You Do With Mushroom Spores?
So, we’ve already discussed that magic mushroom spores are indeed legal in the UK. But, as with most things in life, there’s a caveat.
Under the Serious crimes act 2007. encouraging or facilitating illegal activities can lead to some very lengthy prison sentences. Facilitating the growing of magic mushrooms falls under this banner.
This means that spores are 100% legal, as long as you buy, sell or trade them with the intention STRICTLY not to grow them. So remember this please! If you follow the rules, you’ll be golden.
- Magic Mushroom Spores = Legal
- Growing Magic Mushrooms From Spores = Illegal
That brings us to the obvious question, if you can’t grow the buggers, what exactly are you meant to do with them?
Most vendors will supply spores as souvenirs, collectibles or for microscopy/research purposes. This is very like how cannabis seeds are traded in the UK market.
As it turns out, looking at spores under a microscope has become an popular hobby, with microscope sales surging 800% since 2005!
Frequent ask Questions on magic mushshrooms legal uk
What are magic mushroom spores?
To determine whether Magic mushroom spores are legal. We first must understand what they are. The spores are the fungus equal of seeds. The spores are created by Psilocybin-producing species of mushrooms during the reproduction cycle.
From a legal perspective. in the majority of countries including the United Kingdom magic mushrooms are illegal to own. Or grow due to the chemical ‘Psilocybin’ contained within them.
But, magic mushroom spores do not contain Psilocybin. The specific chemical that is legislated and controlled. This put spores into a ‘grey area’.
Spore print of Psilocybe Cubensis
So are magic mushroom spores legal?
So determining whether magic mushroom spores are legal boils down to whether the spores. themselves contain any controlled chemical compounds. This is in essence how drugs are classified. For example, MDMA’s specific chemical structure is listed as a controlled and illegal compound.
Psilocybin (The active chemical that gives magic mushrooms their ‘magic’.) chemical structure is classified and illegal in the United Kingdom and many other countries.
However, the spores of magic mushrooms do not contain any Psilocybin and therefore are not under the schedule of controlled drugs in the United kingdom.
If you are in a different country, you can view the table at the bottom of the page for legalities in different countries.
This puts magic mushroom spores legality into a strange grey area. As they are not technically illegal, which means they can be legally sold and bought.
There are other laws that govern the purpose of a sale. For example, if magic mushroom spores are sold within the United Kingdom with the intention of being grown, this would absolutely be illegal. Under the Serious crimes act 2007, encouraging or facilitating illegal activities can lead to some lengthy prison sentences.
Why would you buy magic mushroom spores?
Magic mushroom spores are fascinating to study, they are microscopically small. You could fit many hundreds of spores on the tip of a needle.
Here at Viking spores, we sell our spores with the intention of being examined under the microscope. There are many people who buy them for novelty or taxonomy purposes. The law has changed significantly in recent times, specifically in the US, with decriminalization happening in some states.
What the future holds is very uncertain, but we believe it’s important to preserve the genetic lineage in case the law changes.
Is Amanita muscaria legal UK?The mushroom, Amanita Muscaria, was not covered under a regulation introduced in January 2006 under the Misuse of Drugs Acts to outlaw the sale and possession of magic mushrooms containing psilocybin.7 Jul 2022
Where are Psilocybe legal?
The cities of Oakland and Santa Cruz, California, followed suit and decriminalized psilocybin in June 2019 and January 2020, .
Is mushroom farming legal?
California law prohibits, as an alternate felony-misdemeanor or “wobbler”, the cultivation of “any spores or mycelium capable of producing mushrooms or other substance” containing psilocybin or psilocyn, if done with the intent of producing psilocybin or psilocyn.
Can you go mushroom picking in the UK?
Put simply, all plants, animals and fungi on private land belong to the landowner. However, because most Britons distrust and ignore mushrooms, owners are often happy to allow picking, so always ask first.
What are legal highs in UK?
Legal highs are substances which mimic the effects of drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. The main difference is that they’re not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Is it legal to buy magic mushroom spores?
The compounds are only found in the mushroom fruiting body. Therefore, magic mushroom spores are entirely legal to buy and sell, because they do not contain any banned compounds. However, what they become when cultivated (magic mushrooms) is most definitely illegal.
Can you eat magic mushrooms in the UK?
One of the main reasons the UK government have a hard time regulating Magic Mushrooms in the UK is that they grow here , in abundance! Magic mushrooms grow in many countries around the World. Magic Mushrooms have been consumed in the UK hundreds of years, at least.
Are magic mushrooms legal in Norway?
In Norway, magic mushrooms are outlawed according to explicit regulation regarding narcotics. The legal status of the Psilocybin mushrooms as a drug came into light when high school students were reportedly hospitalized after consuming the mushrooms for their psychedelic property in 2019.
What is the punishment for possession of magic mushrooms in UK?
Magic mushrooms are classed as Class A drugs in the UK, meaning the most severe punishment for possession is up to seven years and an unlimited fine. However, sentencing this harsh is unlikely.