Well, if you’re in the Islands of Aloha, you’re not alone. In Hawaii, a Senate Bill is being pushed to remove psilocybin — the trippy compound in magic mushrooms and truffles—from the list of Schedule 1 substances. The forbidden list also includes a wide spectrum of psychedelics, such as LSD, mescaline, peyote, and salvia.

People Need Options

Psilocybin is the natural second step, legal-wise. Just a year ago, Hawaii had allowed one to possess up to 3 grams of marijuana, against a fine of $130. Hmm.. are shrooms next? 

Under Senate Bill 738, psilocybin will no longer be listed as a Schedule 1 substance. If approved, shrooms will be removed of its inaccurate (psilocybin is non-addictive) label of “high potential for abuse”, as per the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. The Hawaii Department of Health will also be required to build treatment centres, so that psilocybin can be given to patients who need it most. 

As for State Senator Stanley Chang, who is pushing the bill? He wants Hawaii to be the second state after Oregon to legalise shrooms — completely. 

“There is an increasing number of reputable studies that show how psilocybin and psilocin can have promising results on people suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.

“People with these conditions need options, and this bill will give them that while also ensuring that [it] is stored and administered at license treatment facilities.”

SB 738 would make it possible to hold or use magic mushrooms and truffles in Hawaii, and not be charged. But they are also prioritising licensed treatment clinics. Local leaders can then see that shrooms are not only for fantastic fun times… 

For starters, did you know that psilocybin can also effectively treat a host of medical conditions, such as PTSD, depression, and substance abuse? The research speaks for itself, quite frankly!

“Transformative role in my life”

Ashley Lukens, 39, a PhD holder in Political Science from UH Manoa, and a single mother to her 12 year old daughter, shared a testimony on how psilocybin helped her cope with brain cancer.

“Plant medicines like psilocybin have played a transformative role in my life. 

“In 2017, I was diagnosed with brain cancer. Because brain cancer is treatable but not curable, I was faced…with the prospect of my own early death.

magic mushrooms growing in forest
Via Creative Commons

“I was familiar with the research on psilocybin-assisted treatment for end of life anxiety, and chose to experience first hand the power…in reducing the negative effects of stress related to a cancer diagnosis.”

Treating patients with psilocybin for end-of-life anxiety is slowly (but surely!) gaining acceptance in Canada. But in the US, there are still glaring flaws in regulation which makes it hard to do the same. Says Lukens:

“You either participate in a limited clinical trial, or you travel abroad to places where you can access this medicine legally. 

“Traveling abroad can complicate [your] experience because not all legal access is in a clinical setting, something the research shows us is critical for impact.”

Like Night and Day

“I have a familial history of depression and have had my battles with it throughout adulthood. 

“As someone who makes a living doing a combat sport, the physical trauma plus the mental stress…takes its toll. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads my mind into dark places.

Vincent Cachero fighting competitor
Vincent Cachero describes himself as “a creator by day and MMA fighter by night”. His personal story is just one of many in the push to allow psilocybin in Hawaii. (Photo courtesy: UFC)

Severe depression is not unusual in athletes — especially those involved with contact sports, such as mixed martial arts. But due to stigma, mental health issues in big stars often fly under the radar until it’s too late.  This is why the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is looking into psilocybin to treat their fighters’ mental health. Some MMA fighters even spoke up in public about using shrooms to help treat depression, with incredible results! As Cachero himself can testify:

“I took a [microdose] for medicinal purposes only. It kicked me out of a four-month rut of a deep depression, where I experienced suicidal ideation regularly. 

“I was immediately better, like night and day. There is no doubt that psilocybin…made me a more happy and effective person in this world.”

Life-Changing

Kevin Martin, a 30-year-old disabled veteran and Purple Heart recipient, said that psilocybin helped him be the “happiest, healthiest, and wealthiest” he’s ever been.

“I served overseas in Afghanistan…where I was regularly engaged in direct action with enemy insurgents, and where I was wounded in combat.

” Never once I thought I’d be one of those veterans who takes his own life, but at some point, I just stopped caring… I still wanted to die.”

hand holding magic truffles
Recent research has shown that psilocybin can help treat symptoms of PTSD.

Mr. Martin said that he sought out treatments, medications, and therapies —but nothing worked. That is until he tried magic mushrooms, which the veteran describes as “life changing”. 

“If you claim to care about veterans’ mental health… then you will do whatever it takes to legalize psilocybin. I’m certain that without psychedelic drug therapy, I would have found a way to kill myself during this pandemic.”

Suicide Prevention

Dr. Thomas Cook, a psychiatrist in Honolulu, gave his expert testimony on the clinical effects of psilocybin mushrooms.

“Psilocybin mushrooms relieve depression better, and faster, than any medication. Many of these patients have been taking antidepressants for one or two decades. Psilocybin outperforms the medications after only a single use.

“I frequently hear that suicidal thinking is vanished.”

Dr. Cook also noted that prescription drugs like Zoloft and Prozac do not reduce the likelihood of suicide. 

“As use [of Zoloft and Prozac] has gone up, the suicide rate has not declined. It has continued to creep up.”

You heard the doctor! Big Pharma has not lived up to its promises mental health-wise, and in some cases, managed to make it worse. But don’t take our word for it… Here’s the testimony of James Brad Sheveland, a local who works for Maui Moringa Farms:

“I have been on different kinds of antidepressants with horrible, life-damaging side effects from SSRIs. Those pills destroyed my life, I lost everything…

“Psilocybin is the only thing that helps and has zero bad side effects. If you don’t struggle with depression, you have no idea what you are talking about on this matter.

“I support Psilocybin for medical use 100% because I know first hand that it works.”

Mahalo Magic

As of February 26, the final decision on whether Hawaii allows psilocybin or not is still pending. For now, the committee has postponed any voting on the measure. Which means that if you live in Hawaii, you can still send your own personal testimony on using shrooms. Honestly? The fact that the courts scheduled a public hearing for SB 738 — and not rejected it outright —bodes very well indeed for whatever comes next. 

We can hardly wait! Don’t you think it’s high time our laws get on the right side of history? Not only are magic mushrooms a powerful antidote —they’re fun, easy to grow, and affordable as well. And if you’re looking for a spot of magic, microdosing truffles will give you just the right kick for the daily grind. So why not try it for yourself?