Legal Reference
Psychedelic Medicine
Legal Status Guide
A comprehensive, up-to-date reference for the legal status of psychedelic medicines by country and US state. Laws change rapidly — always verify current status before traveling.
Last updated: May 2026
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a legal professional and verify current laws before traveling or seeking treatment. Pō a Ao is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.
Ibogaine
US Federal Status: Schedule I — illegal federally in the US
Trump Executive Order (April 2026) created Right to Try pathway for veterans. Legal in Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, and Gabon.
Mexico
Legal and unregulated. Most US patients travel here. Rosarito, Tijuana, and Cancún are primary hubs.
Brazil
Legal since 1994. Used in addiction treatment clinics.
New Zealand
Approved as a prescription medicine for addiction treatment.
South Africa
Legal and used in addiction clinics.
Gabon
Traditional use of iboga root is a protected cultural practice.
Portugal
All drugs decriminalized for personal use. Ibogaine clinics operate legally.
Netherlands
Legal. Ibogaine clinics operate openly.
United States
Schedule I federally. Right to Try pathway for veterans created by Executive Order April 2026.
Canada
Schedule III. Some exemptions granted for clinical research.
United Kingdom
Class A controlled substance.
Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
US Federal Status: Schedule I — illegal federally in the US
Oregon legalized therapeutic use in 2023. Colorado legalized in 2024. Australia approved for PTSD and depression in 2023. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation.
Oregon, USA
Measure 109 — legal for therapeutic use at licensed service centers since 2023.
Colorado, USA
Proposition 122 — legal for therapeutic use and personal cultivation since 2024.
Australia
TGA approved for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression in 2023. Administered by authorized psychiatrists.
Netherlands
Psilocybin truffles are legal. Mushrooms are technically illegal but widely available.
Jamaica
Never scheduled. Legal and unregulated. Retreat centers operate openly.
Brazil
Not scheduled. Legal for personal use and ceremonial contexts.
Denver, CO
First US city to decriminalize (2019). Lowest enforcement priority.
Oakland/SF, CA
Decriminalized 2019. Lowest enforcement priority.
Washington DC
Initiative 81 — lowest enforcement priority since 2020.
Canada
Section 56 exemptions granted for therapeutic use. Decriminalized in some cities.
MDMA (Ecstasy)
US Federal Status: Schedule I — illegal federally in the US
MAPS Phase 3 trials showed 71.2% of veterans no longer met PTSD criteria. FDA review ongoing. Australia approved for PTSD in 2023.
Australia
TGA approved for PTSD in 2023. First country to approve MDMA-assisted therapy.
United States
FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation. Phase 3 trials complete. FDA review ongoing. Lykos Therapeutics application submitted.
Canada
Health Canada approved expanded access. Clinical trials ongoing.
Israel
Phase 2 trials for PTSD. Government-funded research.
United Kingdom
Phase 2 trials approved. Imperial College London research ongoing.
Netherlands
Clinical research ongoing.
Czech Republic
MDMA-assisted therapy trials approved.
Ketamine
US Federal Status: Schedule III — legal with prescription in the US
The only FDA-approved psychedelic-adjacent medicine. Spravato (esketamine) FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. Available at clinics in all 50 states.
United States
Schedule III. Legal at licensed clinics in all 50 states. Spravato (esketamine) FDA-approved for TRD and MDD with suicidal ideation. VA coverage expanding.
Canada
Legal with prescription. Ketamine clinics operating in major cities.
United Kingdom
Class B controlled substance but legal for medical use. Ketamine clinics operating.
Australia
TGA-approved for depression. Clinics operating in major cities.
European Union
Legal for medical use in most EU countries. Esketamine (Spravato) approved by EMA.
Ayahuasca (DMT + MAOIs)
US Federal Status: DMT is Schedule I. Ayahuasca brew is a legal gray area in the US.
Legal for religious use in the US under RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act). Legal in Peru, Brazil, and several other countries. Retreat centers operate openly in many jurisdictions.
Peru
National cultural heritage. Legal and unregulated. Hundreds of retreat centers operate openly.
Brazil
Legal for religious use since 1987. Santo Daime and UDV churches operate globally.
Netherlands
Legal gray area. Retreat centers operate openly. DMT is illegal but ayahuasca brew is not explicitly scheduled.
Portugal
All drugs decriminalized for personal use. Retreat centers operate.
United States
DMT is Schedule I but ayahuasca has legal protection for religious use under RFRA. Several churches have won court cases.
Costa Rica
Legal and unregulated. Major retreat destination.
Colombia
Traditional use protected. Retreat centers operate openly.
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