A new survey finds that 23 percent of US adults support legalization of psilocybin use. According to the RAND Corp. ("Nearly One in Four Americans Support Legal Use of Psilocybin 'Magic' Mushrooms; Similar to Support for Cannabis Prior to Passage of Medical Cannabis Laws," RAND Corp., Feb. 24, 2026):
"The report also finds that while support for the legal use of psilocybin is far lower than the 65% of Americans that support legal use of cannabis, it mirrors the level of support for cannabis legalization in the mid-1990s, just before states began implementing medical cannabis laws.
"People who have used these substances are far more likely to support legal use. About 62% of people who use psilocybin support making use legal, while 80% of people who use cannabis support its legal use."
The release also notes:
"In addition to questions about whether use should be legal, the study examines public opinion on why people should be allowed to use psychedelic substances and how they should be able to obtain them. Interestingly, among those who favor making psilocybin use legal, only 42% believe adults should be able to use it for any reason. Conversely, among those who oppose making psilocybin use legal, 62% believe it should be illegal for any reason.
"The most cited reason for allowing the legal use of psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA is to address mental or physical health concerns. When asked how legal psilocybin should be obtained, 49% favor supervised use in a medical facility, 28% support dispensary sales, and 23% endorse allowing adults to grow or forage for personal use."
The RAND Corp.'s report, Public Opinion on Legalizing Psychedelics, can be downloaded from the RAND website.