Connecticut legislators are weighing a proposal that would soften penalties for psilocybin possession, shifting the psychedelic mushroom from a criminal offense to a civil fine. The bill, taken up by the state’s Joint Judiciary Committee on Friday, aims to remove the threat of jail time for individuals found with small amounts of the substance.
A $150 Fine Instead of Arrest
The proposal, which was reintroduced last week, would make possession of up to one-half an ounce of psilocybin a civil infraction, punishable by a $150 fine. Unlike current laws that can lead to arrests and potential incarceration, this shift would treat minor possession more like a traffic ticket.
At the hearing, lawmakers explored the broader implications of the bill. Would decriminalization lead to wider, uncontrolled use? Could it pave the way for a regulated therapeutic model? The conversation wasn’t just about penalties—it was about the role of psilocybin in both recreational and medical contexts.
Lawmakers Question Safety, Use, and Regulation
During the discussion, Rep. David Rutigliano (R) pressed Chandra Campanelli, a registered nurse with experience in psilocybin therapy, on whether people would use the substance exclusively in controlled settings.
Her answer was straightforward: people are already using psilocybin, both recreationally and in guided therapeutic environments.
“Obviously, folks have been using it recreationally for a very long time,” she said. “Still, even with that, [psilocybin carries] very, very low harm.”
She emphasized that decriminalization wouldn’t necessarily change patterns of use—it would just reduce the legal consequences.
Support and Opposition
As with any drug policy reform, the proposal has its supporters and detractors. Ahead of the committee hearing, about a dozen individuals submitted written testimony expressing their views.
Among the supporters was Jess Zaccagnino, policy counsel at ACLU Connecticut. She argued that criminal penalties for psilocybin possession do more harm than good.
“Not only is prohibition a proven failure as a drug control strategy, but it subjects otherwise law-abiding citizens to arrest, prosecution, and incarceration for what they do in private,” Zaccagnino wrote.
Her stance aligns with a growing movement advocating harm reduction over punishment. Supporters argue that treating drug use as a health issue rather than a crime could lead to better outcomes for individuals and communities.
The Bigger Picture: Drug Reform in Connecticut
Connecticut is no stranger to drug policy reform. In recent years, the state has moved toward a more lenient approach, legalizing recreational cannabis and exploring harm reduction strategies for opioids. The psilocybin bill fits into this broader trend of reconsidering punitive drug laws.
But questions remain. If psilocybin is decriminalized, will there be a push to legalize its use in therapeutic settings? Other states, including Oregon and Colorado, have already moved in that direction, creating regulated systems for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Connecticut lawmakers may eventually face similar choices.
For now, the focus is on this initial step—reducing criminal penalties for possession. Whether the bill gains traction remains to be seen, but Friday’s committee discussion suggests that psilocybin’s legal status is officially up for debate in Connecticut.
