Is It True That Maine May Possibly Legalize ‘Magic Mushrooms’?

Hear the whole story, because it's not what you think.

Sure, here in Maine it may look on the outside like we're a state that just wants to party all the time. We have above and beyond our fair share of craft breweries and distilleries. We have recreational cannabis here in Maine. And now, there's talk at the state level that we may legalize psychedelic mushrooms. AKA magic mushrooms, or even just shrooms.

But not everything is as it seems. A good portion of Maine's cannabis industry is still set up for medical patients who prefer to use it to treat what ails them, as opposed to using it as an escape from reality. And research-wise, that's the case being made for legalizing psychedelic mushrooms in Maine.

It's part of a cutting-edge therapy treatment.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the mushrooms are being used as a breakthrough treatment for cases of severe depression. In a controlled environment, the patient would go on a "trip." The effects of psilocybin, the active ingredient in the mushrooms, can cause great shifts in their depression and help the patient turn things around.

The mushrooms have been accepted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and John Hopkins University has been actively studying them since 2019. A few other cities and states around the country have gotten on board, and Maine will be looking at a bill soon that could allow this kind of therapy in our state.

This will not happen overnight.

If the passing of Maine's recreational cannabis laws is any indication, this could possibly be tied up in red tape for some time. Who knows, maybe it will move a bit quicker due to its therapeutic nature, as opposed to its recreational uses. but only time will tell. But on paper, it looks to be promising relief for some folks who are out of answers and want to just feel good again.