Magic Mushrooms to be banned

Of course, as well as our fabulous wild mushrooms, there are other forms of our fungi that are used for purposes other than a fine meal. So-called magic mushrooms are known for their hallucinogenic properties, although the number of deaths from people consuming said mushies is, sadly, on the increase.

Now this staple of the hippy diet is set to lose one of its capital cities. Their sale is about to be banned by the Dutch Government in the latest sign of a conservative backlash against Amsterdam’s relaxed attitude towards sex and drugs.

A series of high-profile deaths and injuries linked to magic mushroom trips has proved too much for the Dutch and the move follows growing official impatience with the unforeseen consequences of traditional Dutch tolerance, which instead of normal-ising drug taking and prostitution has drawn in people-traffickers, dealers and organised crime gangs from across Europe.

In July an 18-year-old from Iceland threw himself out of a hotel window in Amsterdam, breaking both his legs. But what really caught the public imagination was the death of a 17-year-old French girl who jumped from a bridge over one of Amsterdam’s canals to her death in March, apparently under the influence of magic mushrooms.

Ambulance call-outs rose from 70 in 2005 to 128 last year, with nine out of ten cases involving tourists. Britons were the largest group among them.

So now, if you really want a fix from mushrooms, you'll have to satisfy yourself with a portion of Wild Mushrooms - perhaps used liberally in this month's Recipe of the Month?