Olympic gold medalist skier Bode Miller has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor drug charges following his arrest on June 6 in eastern Idaho for possession of psilocybin mushrooms, according to court records. Miller entered the plea a week later for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Arrest Details and Instagram Response
In a statement on Instagram, Miller said he was pulled over after accelerating to pass a vehicle on the highway. He claimed his friend had a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe, which Miller said he was unaware of. “We fully cooperated with the officer,” he wrote. “I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed.”
Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Hurt wrote in a probable cause statement that he found Miller with a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psychedelic mushrooms. Court documents did not provide further details about the arrest circumstances.
Idaho's Strict Drug Laws and National Context
Idaho enforces some of the strictest drug laws in the United States. However, neighboring states Colorado and Oregon have legalized psilocybin for therapeutic treatments, and the substance has gained popularity among health advocates who believe microdosing or therapeutic use can alleviate anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expedite research and loosen restrictions on psychedelics, prompting the FDA to offer ultra-fast review for three psychedelic drugs targeting mental health conditions.
Miller's Skiing Career and Legacy
Miller, 48, was known for his high-risk, high-reward style in ski racing, earning six Olympic medals including gold in the super-combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He also won 33 World Cup races, two World Cup overall titles, and four gold medals at world championships. His career was marked by numerous crashes, including a severe wipeout at the 2015 world championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado, during the super-G. He hooked his left arm on a gate, sending him spiraling out of control; after somersaulting down the slope, he retrieved his skis and finished the run. He later underwent surgery for a torn right hamstring tendon caused by his own ski.
Associated Press journalists Pat Graham and Jake Seiner contributed to this report.
