5 Countries Where Psychedelics are Legal

As clinical studies continue to show that psychedelics can improve mental health, individuals from across the world have begun considering experimenting with substances such as psilocybin and ayahuasca. There is only one problem: in most countries the personal use of such compounds remains highly illegal, with severe punishments for those who use it. But are there any countries where psychedelics are legal?

The international laws governing psychedelics are beginning to change. Nations from across the planet have begun turning the last pages on the decades-long global war on drugs. And while for most countries this means less severe punishments and transitioning from jail time to fines or mandatory rehab, some have flat out legalized certain psychedelics.

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While this list is set to grow over the coming months, in this article I will examine 5 countries where at least some psychedelics are completely legal —or are in the process of becoming legal— to consume. The rules and regulations surrounding psychedelics vary in each jurisdiction, so make sure to do your homework before planning a psychedelic ceremony vacation.

#5: The USA

It is perhaps best to start in the United States. Not only did the War on Drugs originate here, but the country also strong-armed much of the rest of the world into following its lead.

While it’s true that across the nation most psychedelics remain illegal, due to the USA’s heavily decentralized nature, several states have started the process to legalize at least certain psychedelics.

The state furthest advanced in this process is Oregon. In 2020, Oregon residents voted in a ballot initiative to legalize psilocybin healing centers, and by the end of 2023, all adults over the age of 21 will be able to legally receive psilocybin-assisted therapy. In the interim, Oregon has decriminalized the possession of most drugs, including psychedelics.

While Oregon was the first domino to fall, other states such as Colorado are following their lead. To learn more, read 5 States Likely to Legalize Psychedelics.

#4: The Netherlands

Despite having beautiful architecture, thousands of years of history, and some of the most friendly people you will ever meet, when it comes to tourism, the Netherlands is perhaps best known as that place with legal marijuana and magic truffles. And while marijuana isn’t technically legal —though this really is just a technicality, there is a controlled market and you can buy it in stores— psilocybin truffles are.

How this came to be is a saga in and of itself. Despite psilocybin mushrooms being illegal, psilocybin truffles —the fruiting body of a fungus— are not. In short, there was a loophole in the law banning magic mushrooms which never got plugged. This resulted in psilocybin truffles being legally sold in “Smart Shops” across the Netherlands. And despite this coming to be through legislative overlook, since the law banning psilocybin mushrooms was passed in 2008, there has not been a serious effort to add psilocybin truffles to the list of banned substances.

Not only does this mean individuals can buy psilocybin truffles at Smart Shops, but there is also a burgeoning psilocybin-assisted therapy and retreat scene opening up. As citizens from around the world look to try legal psilocybin-assisted therapy to improve their mental health, the Netherlands is becoming a hot destination.

#3: Jamaica

Even during the height of the War on Drugs, Jamaica never made psilocybin mushrooms illegal. Despite this, the production and sale of magic mushrooms was traditionally relegated to the informal economy. That is starting to change.

In 2021, the first legal functional and psychedelic mushroom retail outlet was opened in Jamaica by the company Silo Wellness. Since then, more shroom shops have popped up across Bob Marley’s homeland. Likewise, psilocybin healing centers and retreats have been blooming across the island nation, attracting not only local residents, but also international travelers. As a result, Jamaica is quickly becoming an internationally renowned psychedelics tourist destination.

#2: The Bahamas

Staying in the Caribbean, in the Bahamas psilocybin mushrooms are also legal to grow and sell—though psilocybin itself is a controlled substance. And like in Jamaica, there have been psilocybin health and wellness retreats opening across the islands in recent years.

Going further, however, in the Bahamas not only do certain resorts offer psilocybin mushrooms-assisted healing, many also offer ibogaine treatment for addiction. And at least one also offers 5-MeO-DMT treatment!

Located only 50 miles from the Florida coast, the Bahamas are perfectly situated for curious American tourists who can’t wait until Oregon’s psilocybin centers open next year.

#1: Brazil

Brazil takes the cake in this listicle of countries where psychedelics are legal. While psilocybin mushrooms are basically legal in Brazil —though their sale remains almost entirely in the informal market— the fact that the Latin American giant has also legalized ayahuasca gives them the top rank.

Ayahuasca is a brew containing DMT that can cause a psychedelic experience lasting around 4 to 6 hours. Used traditionally by many native and Christian communities in the Amazon, ayahuasca retreats in Brazil have become so popular that people from across the world make the journey.

Honorable Mentions

There are many other countries that have at least in part legalized certain psychedelics. Special honorable mentions go to Nepal where psychedelic mushrooms are legal, though they are sold in informal markets; Mexico, where people can semi-legally attend ibogaine healing centers; Peru, who has also legalized ayahuasca; and Portugal, which has decriminalized all drugs.