Bill in Springfield would make magic mushrooms legal

Posted on March 7, 2024
State Sen. Rachel Ventura is sponsoring a bill to legalize magic mushrooms. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has had medical cannabis for years. Magic mushrooms could be next.

“Under this measure, psilocybin would be legalized in Illinois,” said the sponsor, State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet), “under supervised use, supervised life-changing treatment to help Illinoisans suffering from PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use, and more.”

Chicago therapist Bruce Sewick joined Ventura at a news conference at the Capitol to say the mushrooms could have saved his daughter, who suffered a lifelong struggle with mental illness before taking her own life five years ago.

“The mental health system failed her,” said Sewick, “and she was not able to get relief, and she was not able to access anything to give her hope.

“After four years of therapy and medication, she took her own life on March 7, 2019. And I found her.” 

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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