Olympic gold medalist skier Bode Miller has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor drug charges, including possession of psilocybin mushrooms, following his arrest on June 6 in eastern Idaho. He entered his pleas the following week to charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents, a Fremont County Sheriff's Deputy found Miller with a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psychedelic mushrooms. Idaho has some of the strictest drug laws in the country.
In a social media post, Miller stated he was pulled over for accelerating to pass a vehicle on the highway. He mentioned that a friend had a small amount of cannabis and a pipe, which Miller claimed he was unaware of. "We fully cooperated with the officer," he said. "I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed."
While Idaho maintains strict drug laws, other states like Colorado and Oregon have legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use. Psilocybin has gained attention among some health advocates who believe microdosing or therapeutic use can help alleviate anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expediting research and easing restrictions on psychedelics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently announced it would provide expedited reviews for three psychedelic drugs being developed for mental health conditions.
Miller, 48, was known for his high-risk, high-reward style in ski racing, which contributed to his six Olympic medals, including a gold in the super-combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He also achieved 33 World Cup race victories and two World Cup overall titles, along with four gold medals at world championships. His career included a significant crash at the 2015 world championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado, which resulted in surgery for a torn hamstring tendon.