News (Media Awareness Project) - UK: County Hit By Magic Mushroom Loophole |
| Title: | UK: County Hit By Magic Mushroom Loophole |
| Published On: | 2004-07-24 |
| Source: | Shropshire Star (UK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-18 04:29:24 |
COUNTY HIT BY MAGIC MUSHROOM LOOPHOLE
Parts of Shropshire are being targeted by suppliers exploiting a legal
loophole and offering door-to-door deliveries of "magic" mushrooms, it was
revealed today.
Police in Telford have stepped up inquiries to trace the origins of dozens
of leaflets being distributed in the town offering exotic fungi for sale.
There is concern the "Fabulous Fungi" could be in the form of a
hallucinogenic substance.
And people have been strongly advised to ignore the advertising literature.
Detective Constable Bob Wilson said residents in Brookside and Sutton Hill
had received the material claiming various types of fungi were available,
including Mexican, Thai, Columbian and Philosophers Stones.
It also states the product is available at various prices according to
weight, and will be delivered fresh and in their natural state.
A number of the leaflets were handed in by residents concerned that children
could pick up the leaflets and be tempted to try the fungi.
"We are not sure what they are selling but the inference is that it is a
type of hallucinogenic substance.
"Many types of "fungus" can be extremely dangerous and some prepared
varieties are categorised as Class A controlled drugs," he warned.
Inquiries by the Shropshire Star show the magic mushroom industry sees the
current law as a green light to step up trading and there are up to 300
shops and dozens of internet websites.
Many of the online sites are in Europe and include a Northampton-based firm
which is offering a next-day home delivery service.
The company's website offers home grow kits for UKP 25 and a variety of
mushrooms ranging in price from UKP 7.50 to UKP 15 for ten grams.
Under the current law the psilocybe mushroom, or magic mushroom, is not a
controlled substance, but the hallucinogen, psilocin, that it contains, is
classified as a Class A drug.
Provided the gatherer does not commercially "prepare" the mushroom before
selling they are not committing a criminal offence. But ministers are now
reported to be taking action to tighten the loophole.
Parts of Shropshire are being targeted by suppliers exploiting a legal
loophole and offering door-to-door deliveries of "magic" mushrooms, it was
revealed today.
Police in Telford have stepped up inquiries to trace the origins of dozens
of leaflets being distributed in the town offering exotic fungi for sale.
There is concern the "Fabulous Fungi" could be in the form of a
hallucinogenic substance.
And people have been strongly advised to ignore the advertising literature.
Detective Constable Bob Wilson said residents in Brookside and Sutton Hill
had received the material claiming various types of fungi were available,
including Mexican, Thai, Columbian and Philosophers Stones.
It also states the product is available at various prices according to
weight, and will be delivered fresh and in their natural state.
A number of the leaflets were handed in by residents concerned that children
could pick up the leaflets and be tempted to try the fungi.
"We are not sure what they are selling but the inference is that it is a
type of hallucinogenic substance.
"Many types of "fungus" can be extremely dangerous and some prepared
varieties are categorised as Class A controlled drugs," he warned.
Inquiries by the Shropshire Star show the magic mushroom industry sees the
current law as a green light to step up trading and there are up to 300
shops and dozens of internet websites.
Many of the online sites are in Europe and include a Northampton-based firm
which is offering a next-day home delivery service.
The company's website offers home grow kits for UKP 25 and a variety of
mushrooms ranging in price from UKP 7.50 to UKP 15 for ten grams.
Under the current law the psilocybe mushroom, or magic mushroom, is not a
controlled substance, but the hallucinogen, psilocin, that it contains, is
classified as a Class A drug.
Provided the gatherer does not commercially "prepare" the mushroom before
selling they are not committing a criminal offence. But ministers are now
reported to be taking action to tighten the loophole.
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