Boris Johnson to consider rescheduling "Magic Mushrooms" for medical research.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will examine the latest advice on the legalisation of Psilocybin, the psychedelic drug found in "magic mushrooms".
Tory MP Crispin Blunt has urged the PM to review the law in the hope of allowing more research into the therapeutic qualities of the substance. Mr Blunt has said that the Prime Minister had privately assured him that he was committed to rescheduling psilocybin for clinical research in May of this year.Â
At Prime Minister's Question time on Wednesday 20th October, Mr Blunt called on the PM to deliver on his previous pledge. He commented that the decision would be a massive boost for the UK's biosciences industry.
Mr Blunt told the PM  that Psilocybin had  "exciting potential" for new mental health treatments for conditions like addiction, trauma and depression. Initial clinical research also shows that Psilocybin, combined with talking therapies, can treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Mr Johnson reply was promising, saying, "we will consider the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recent advice on reducing barriers to research with controlled drugs such as the one he describes, and we will be getting back to him as soon as possible."
Currently, Psilocybin is included in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act with drugs such as LSD and Ecstasy and LSD. Therefore it is not allowed to be lawfully possessed or prescribed. If it is needed for use in research, then a Home Office licence is required.
Campaigners are calling for it to be moved to Schedule 2 but with restrictions. The restrictions would prevent it from being inappropriately prescribed but be used for medical and scientific research.Â
If successful, this move would place Psilocybin in the same category as medicinal cannabis. Mr Blunt told reporters, "There is no record anywhere that a substance that has come out of 'schedule two' and gone into the criminal supply chain,"
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Liz Filmer
