Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the sale of the drug known as "magic mushrooms" is legal and if not the steps which have been taken to ensure it is not for sale openly. [37095/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The scheduling of substances as controlled substances under misuse of drugs legislation is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children. I am informed by the Department of Health and Children that "magic mushrooms" contain as one of their natural constituents the drug psilocin and that the phosphate salt of psilocin, namely psilocybin, may also be present. I am further informed that these two substances and any preparation or other product containing any proportion of any such substances are controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.

As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 481 on 22 November 2005, outlets suspected of having "magic mushrooms" for sale are regularly monitored by local gardaí and district drugs units.