The legality of ayahuasca depends on the country and local laws. In the US, ayahuasca is illegal under Federal Law with the Controlled Substances Act, which lists DMT, the active component of Ayahuasca, as a Schedule 1 Substance. Despite this, many local and state governments have decriminalized the personal use of ayahuasca. The benefits of psychedelic therapy are gaining traction and a direct link is being formed between ayahuasca use and higher quality of life, so it's likely we will continue to see more local governments adopt favorable policies for psychedelic use.

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There are many countries through Central and South American, where ayahuasca is completely Legal. This is because ayahuasca use originates in the Amazon, and the cultures have incorporated ceremonies for hundreds of years knowing the benefits of the medicine intimately.

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Like the United States, there are many other countries in which ayahuasca is completely illegal to possess, consume, transport, or distribute.

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Countries where Ayahuasca is ILLEGAL:

• FRANCE

• CANADA

• UNITED KINGDOM

• DENMARK

• GERMANY

• IRELAND

• NETHERLANDS

• NOWARY

• SWEDEN

 

Countires where Ayahuasca is LEGAL:

• PERU

• COLOMBIA

• ITALY

• BRAZIL

• ECUADOR

• BOLIVIA

 

Countries where Ayahuasca is Decriminalized or Controlled:

• CHILE

• PORTUGAL

• SPAIN

• ROMANIA

 

Countries where Ayahuasca is Unregulated or Status Unknown:

• COSTA RICA

• AUSTRALIA

• ARGENTINA

 

So, if ayahuasca is illegal in the United States, how are there ceremonies and retreats available in the US? The answer is sort of complex, but most organizations will claim they have protection under the religious freedom act. In 1999 a Brilian Sect called the UDV was charged with importing ayahuasca into the United States. They fought the charge siting religious use, and the case made it all the way to the supreme court where they ruled in favor of the UDV in 2006.

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Since this case set a precedent for all cases to follow, many ‘churches’ have popped up around the United States claiming to use ayahuasca as a sacrament and therefore gain protection under Religious Freedom. Legally though, that may not be the case.

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With the recent study of the therapeutic use of ayahuasca combined with the decriminalization of psychedelics in a growing number of cities across the US, it seems ayahuasca has become a very low priority of law enforcement, even if it is still technically illegal and punishable by federal law in the United States.