Where in the World are Psychedelics Legal Right Now?

where are psychedelics legal

Psychedelics are more than just a popular buzzword these days.

Also known as hallucinogens, these groups of drugs are psychoactive substances that induce numerous mood, cognitive, and perception changes in humans when consumed. Many popular psychedelics are derived from plants like magic mushrooms, which are the most popular. Other well-known plant-based psychedelics are peyote, DMT, ibogaine, and the chemicals LSD and MDMA.

People take psychedelics for a variety of reasons. Though they do take you to altered states of consciousness, many psychedelics also have powerful healing properties for mental and physical health. However, they can be tricky to find.

Some countries and cities around the world have removed criminal penalties that are associated with certain psychedelics, though they are not without certain legal restrictions.

Here’s a list of where psychedelics are somewhat legal around the world, as of the time of writing.

United States

Generally speaking, all of these psychedelic substances are still considered a Schedule 1 substance in the United States. It’s still illegal to possess, consume, produce, and sell any of these drugs without government authorization.

However, that hasn’t stopped some jurisdictions in the United States to pass their own laws that allow for possession and consumption of small amounts of psychedelics. Back in November 2020, Oregon made waves by becoming the first state to remove criminal penalties for illegal drugs including psychedelic substances, as well as oxycodone, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Anyone caught with a small amount of these drugs is considered a Class E violation, and no longer a misdemeanor.

Meanwhile, Oakland and Santa Cruz in California passed resolutions that prevented city cops from imposing criminal penalties for fungi and entheogenic plants. Using and owning psychedelic plants including psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and iboga are the lowest law enforcement priority.

Mexico

Use and possession of magic mushrooms is still illegal in Mexico, and has been since 1984. But indigenous tribes are allowed to use psychedelics such as peyote and magic mushrooms.

Since Mexico’s police never enforce the law on these tribes, many people flock to Mexico to experience a psychedelic ceremony with them. Since peyote also grows in the Mexican desert, nothing is stopping visitors from harvesting it themselves and taking it, though these drugs are always best taken under supervision of experts or shamans.

Curious travelers can find peyote that grows widely in the desert regions including Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, and Coahuila. In some cases they can even creep right up into Texas.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to Amsterdam, a city that has enjoyed a liberal reputation worldwide for making it easy – even for travelers – to access cannabis and magic mushrooms over the last few decades.

But things have changed in the past few years, triggered by tourist deaths caused by drug use.

“Smart shops” and “coffee shops” around the city already do sell a variety of psychedelics such as magic mushrooms, DMT, iboga, and more. But pure extracts such as DMT, mescaline, ayahuasca, and psilocin are still illegal even if they are to be used for religious purposes. There are numerous retreat centers around the country where one can pay to have a trip conducted in a safe environment and even undergo therapy but these retreat centers are not allowed to make any medical claims or say that they can treat certain health conditions.

It’s also good to note that the law still says it’s illegal to produce, sell, or possess drugs though “soft” drugs (cannabis, hash, hash oil) are tolerated. These soft drugs can be found in the said smart shops and coffee shops. They are tolerated because the Dutch Public Prosecution Service won’t prosecute the public for owning or using small quantities though all other kinds of sale, production, and ownership of hard or soft drugs will be prosecuted. Additionally, owning soft drugs and magic mushrooms are also legal for personal use.

Portugal

In 2001, Portugal became the first country to ever decriminalize all drugs. But that comes with a caveat, since that doesn’t mean that all drugs are completely legal.

Magic mushrooms grow wild around the country especially in the northern zones where rains and forested areas create the perfect conditions to grow a variety of magic mushrooms. Psilocybin is still included in the Table IIA of the anti-drug law, and selling magic mushrooms has been illegal since 2013 – though if you have some connections, it may still be possible to buy some at your own risk. Other psychedelics included in the Table IIA, which are deemed illegal include LSD. Meanwhile, DMT and bufotenine are controlled substances and still illegal.

But since they have been decriminalized, there are no criminal charges involved if you are caught with small personal amounts, though the drugs will still be confiscated and you will have to pay a hefty fine. Ketamine is also not legal but it is a controlled substance that can be taken under medical supervision in certain cases.

Jamaica

Currently, there are no laws that explicitly say that psychedelics are illegal in this small island nation. It’s no surprise then that many psychedelic retreats take place in Jamaica, and it’s easy to procure magic mushrooms.

People can openly grow and sell magic mushrooms, and the authorities in Jamaica have even recognized its medicinal value. Jamaica has long been famous for its relaxed cannabis culture though legalization didn’t gain much traction until 2015. While magic mushrooms is fairly common around the country, there is still little known around using ayahuasca, LSD, or san pedro so proceed with caution in those departments.

Have you ever taken psychedelics in any of these countries while traveling? What was your experience like?