Prevent the Unjust Banning of Psilocybe Fungi

Magic Mushrooms and other psilocybe mushrooms, including all psilocin-containing fungi, have long been proven to be a safe and non-toxic recreational drug. For the past thirty years, fresh, unprepared psilocybe mushrooms have been legal to possess in the UK. Recently, the Home Office advised the public that the sale and possession of psilocybe mushrooms was not an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Consequently, the sale of fresh psilocybe mushrooms has grown considerably since this statement. Recently, the UK government has moved to outlaw completely the possession or sale of psilocybe mushrooms. The Drugs Bill currently before the house contains the clause;

"Inclusion of mushrooms containing Psilocin etc. as Class A drugs
In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38) (Class A drugs),
in paragraph 1, insert at the appropriate place
Fungus (of any kind) which contains Psilocin or an ester of Psilocin."

This clause would render any psilocin containing fungi illegal.

The Undersigned are virulently opposed to the inclusion of this clause in the Bill. Psilocybe mushrooms, which have been used recreationally by humans for millennia, and have been used recreationally within Britain for the last thirty years without any public disturbance or detriment recorded, with no cases of psilocybe poisoning on record, are not a dangerous product.

There is a huge body of research to support the conclusion that psilocin-containing fungi are not hazardous to human health. The Undersigned have read and support the research linked to below.

http://www.springerlink.com/app/home/contribution.asp?wasp=8caluvluyn7r6d62eaak&referrer=parent&backto=issue,4,16;journal,18,190;linkingpublicationresults,1:100390,1

The Undersigned are shocked and scared by the move to outlaw a provably safe group of fungi. They petition the Home Office to follow its own mission statement of "Building a safe, just and tolerant society" by not outlawing a group of fungi with no evidence to suggest any harm caused by the legal status of these fungi.

Do not ban unprepared psilocybe fungi based on ignorance or fear.