Psilocybin law in Massachusetts

Scheduling

Psilocybin and psilocyn are listed in Class C, hallucinogenic substances, M.G.L. c.94C §31, Class C(e)(13) and (14); Massachusetts uses Classes A to E rather than numbered schedules [M.G.L. c.94C §31, Classes of controlled substances, Massachusetts Legislature, read 26 October 2026]

What the law says

• Question 4 (2024), which would have legalized personal and supervised use of psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline, failed on 5 November 2024 with about 57% voting no. [Massachusetts voters reject Question 4 on psychedelics, NBC Boston, 2024-11-06, read 26 October 2026]
• Local resolutions in several cities ask police to treat psychedelic plants and fungi as a low enforcement priority but do not change state law. [Easthampton becomes 4th Mass. city to decriminalize psychedelic plants, WBUR, 2021-10-21, read 26 October 2026] [Provincetown becomes 7th Mass. community to move toward decriminalizing psychedelics, WBUR, 2023-12-14, read 26 October 2026]

Local measures

Cities or counties that made psilocybin a low enforcement priority. Possession stays a state crime, and police outside these places are not bound.

• Somerville (2021): City council resolution urging police to deprioritize enforcement of entheogenic plant use and possession [Somerville, Massachusetts decriminalizes nature, DoubleBlind, 2021-01-14, read 26 October 2026]
• Cambridge (2021): City council resolution (8-1) making possession and cultivation of entheogenic plants and fungi among the lowest law enforcement priorities [Cambridge decriminalizes psychedelics, DoubleBlind, 2021-02, read 26 October 2026]
• Northampton (2021): Unanimous city council resolution asking police to treat drug use and possession, including psychedelic plants, as among the lowest law enforcement priorities [Northampton City Council supports decriminalizing psychedelic plants, The Reminder, 2021-03-31, read 26 October 2026]
• Easthampton (2021): City council resolution (7-0, two abstentions) making growing, possessing or using psychedelic plants among the lowest law enforcement priorities [Easthampton becomes 4th Mass. city to decriminalize psychedelic plants, WBUR, 2021-10-21, read 26 October 2026]
• Amherst (2022): Non-binding town council resolution supporting decriminalization of plant medicines, passed 18 July 2022 with one vote against [Around Amherst: Council adopts resolutions on abortion access, gun safety, plant medicines, Amherst Bulletin, 2022-08-01, read 26 October 2026]
• Salem (2023): City council measure to deprioritize arrests involving psilocybin and other psychedelic plants [North Shore city becomes 6th Massachusetts community to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, Boston 25 News, 2023-05-19, read 26 October 2026]
• Provincetown (2023): Select Board resolution (3-1-1) instructing police to deprioritize psilocybin cases [Provincetown becomes 7th Mass. community to move toward decriminalizing psychedelics, WBUR, 2023-12-14, read 26 October 2026]

Penalties

• Possessing a Class C substance such as psilocybin is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both (M.G.L. c.94C §34). [M.G.L. c.94C §34, Unlawful possession of particular controlled substances, Massachusetts Legislature, read 26 October 2026]

Bills

• H.4986 2025-2026 (194th General Court)

  An Act relative to therapeutic psilocybin treatment centers

  Public Health committee redraft of H.2506 and H.2532 to allow therapeutic psilocybin treatment centers.

  Status: Reported favorably and referred to Health Care Financing 28 January 2026; reporting date extended to 31 December 2026, 9 July 2026 (pending)

• H.2203 2025-2026 (194th General Court)

  An Act establishing a pilot program for access to regulated psilocybin

  Would let the Department of Public Health run a psilocybin services pilot for adults with PTSD and other specified conditions.

  Status: Recommended ought to pass by Health Care Financing and referred to House Ways and Means, 22 July 2026 (pending)

• S.1113 2025-2026 (194th General Court)

  An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

  Would remove criminal penalties for possessing limited amounts of psilocybin.

  Status: Sent to a study order (S.2930), effectively shelved, 29 January 2026

• H.1858 2025-2026 (194th General Court)

  An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

  House version of the limited-possession decriminalization bill.

  Status: Sent to a study order (H.5281), effectively shelved, 26 March 2026

• H.4050 2025-2026 (194th General Court)

  Adult use, support services, cultivation and taxation of psilocybin-containing fungi

  Would create a regulated adult-use framework for psilocybin-containing fungi.

  Status: Sent to a study order (H.5318), effectively shelved, 2 April 2026

Dated changes

• 22 July 2026: Would let the Department of Public Health run a psilocybin services pilot for adults with PTSD and other specified conditions. Status: Recommended ought to pass by Health Care Financing and referred to House Ways and Means. Source
• 9 July 2026: Public Health committee redraft of H.2506 and H.2532 to allow therapeutic psilocybin treatment centers. Status: Reported favorably and referred to Health Care Financing 28 January 2026; reporting date extended to 31 December 2026. Source
• 2 April 2026: Would create a regulated adult-use framework for psilocybin-containing fungi. Status: Sent to a study order (H.5318), effectively shelved. Source
• 26 March 2026: House version of the limited-possession decriminalization bill. Status: Sent to a study order (H.5281), effectively shelved. Source
• 29 January 2026: Would remove criminal penalties for possessing limited amounts of psilocybin. Status: Sent to a study order (S.2930), effectively shelved. Source