THE PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday cautioned the public against the use, sale, distribution and cultivation of “magic mushrooms” which contain a substance prohibited by Philippine laws.
In a statement, PDEA said these products contain psilocybin or commonly known as "katsubong" in some regions, which is included in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) updated list of Scheduled Controlled Substances.
"It is also included in the Schedule I of the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. When ingested, psilocybin turns into psilocin, which can produce psychedelic effects similar to the hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD," it added.
The anti-drug body also said it is strengthening its intelligence monitoring of psychedelic mushrooms in the market and seeks the cooperation of the public in reporting such incidents.
On May 18, PDEA operatives and the local police seized products infused with "magic mushrooms" in a sting operation in a beach resort in Barangay Galongen, Bacnotan, La Union.
The operatives seized lollipops, chocolate bars and gummy bears suspected infused with “magic mushrooms”, as welll as marijuana joints, ecstasy, kush and cocaine, with a total estimated value of PHP145,000.
Seven suspects, including a foreigner, were arrested.
Based on investigation, the suspects are growing these mushrooms while actively promoting the use of microdosing, or a technique of taking a fraction of a regular dose for medicinal purposes.
They reportedly advertise the alleged “therapeutic benefits” of the mushrooms through social media, and promoted by known influencers and personalities as a form of soul therapy during yoga sessions. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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