Police go after magic mushroom pickers

Police patrols have been increased in and around Savernake Forest, Marlborough, following a rise in the number of people picking psychedelic “magic mushrooms” there.

The Marlborough Neighbourhood Policing Team has increased activity in the 4,500 acre forest, where Henry VIII used to hunt deer, after a number of people have been detained following possession of Liberty Cap mushrooms –Psilocybe Semilanceata – in the last few days.

They are a Class A controlled drug as they fall into the category of “magic mushrooms”, whose possession carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment on conviction, and supplying Class A controlled drugs carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

 In the last few days six people have been caught in possession of the mushrooms in the Marlborough area and each of these cases are now being investigated.

PC Dave Tippetts, the community beat manager for Marlborough, told Marlborough News Online: “We have recently had an increase in people located with magic mushrooms in their possession. Many have been in possession of Liberty Cap mushrooms, which are a Class A Drug.

“One of my main concerns is that there are very similar mushrooms growing in the area that are extremely poisonous and could cause physical harm if consumed.”

He added: “Many people are unaware that the law changed in 2005, making it an offence to possess ‘magic mushrooms’ in their natural state.

“The law used to say that it was only when dried for use, that the offence was complete. This is no longer the case, and any person seen picking or found in possession of ‘magic mushrooms’ will be liable for prosecution”.

Anyone with information on these incidents should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

Savernake Forest dates back to AD 934, first mentioned in the written records of the Saxon King Athelston as “Safernoc”, the woodland then passing into Norman ownership following the invasion of William the Conqueror.

And the presence of psychedelic mushrooms – there are some 40 varieties – is even older since they have been depicted in prehistoric rock art.

According to Wikipedia: “The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.

“ Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term increases in tolerance of users, thus making it difficult to abuse them because the more often they are taken within a short period of time, the weaker the resultant effects are.

“ Psilocybin mushrooms do not cause physical or psychological dependence – addiction. Poisonous — sometimes lethal — wild-picked mushrooms can be mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms.”

It adds: “As with many psychedelic substances, the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. The mind-altering effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism.

“However, the effects can seem to last much longer to the user because of psilocybin’s ability to alter time perception.

“In internet surveys, some psilocybin users have reported symptoms of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, although this is uncommon and a causal connection with psilocybin use is unclear.

“There is a case report of perceptual disturbances and panic disorder beginning after using psilocybin mushrooms in a frequent cannabis user with a pre-existing history of de-realisation and anxiety.

“Despite risks, mushrooms do much less damage in the UK than other recreational drugs.”