Are magic mushrooms legal in the United Kingdom?
IllegalNo. Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in the United Kingdom, and possession is a criminal offence.
Psilocin and 'fungus (of any kind) which contains psilocin or an ester of psilocin' are Class A drugs, the latter added by section 21 of the Drugs Act 2005, so the mushroom itself is controlled whether fresh or dried. Maximum penalties on indictment are 7 years for possession and life for production or supply. A narrow exception in regulation 4A of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 covers wild mushrooms growing uncultivated or picked only to destroy them or hand them in. A July 2025 government response to the ACMD aims to ease research licensing but leaves the legal status unchanged.
Last verified against primary sources:
What is and is not allowed
- Possession
- Possessing psilocin or any fungus containing it is a Class A offence; reg. 4A excepts mushrooms growing uncultivated or picked solely to destroy them or hand them to someone lawfully entitled to them.
- Cultivation
- Growing psilocin-containing fungi falls under the Class A production offence in s.4(2) of the 1971 Act.
- Sale and supply
- Supply or offering to supply is a Class A offence under s.4(3), with a maximum of life imprisonment on indictment.
- Penalties
- On indictment (Class A): possession up to 7 years, a fine, or both; production, supply, and possession with intent to supply up to life, a fine, or both (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 4).
- Recent changes
- On 16 July 2025 the Government agreed in principle to an ACMD proposal to ease Home Office licensing for Schedule 1 drug research via a pilot; this does not change psilocybin's Class A status or Schedule 1 listing.
Governing law
Common questions
Are fresh magic mushrooms legal in the UK?
No. Since the Drugs Act 2005, any fungus containing psilocin is itself a Class A drug, whatever its state.
What if magic mushrooms grow wild in my garden?
Regulation 4A excepts mushrooms growing uncultivated, and picking them solely to destroy them or hand them to someone lawfully entitled. Picking them to keep or use is not covered.
What is the maximum sentence?
On indictment, up to 7 years for possession and up to life for production or supply of a Class A drug.