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Where are psychedelics legal in the United States of America?

Our State-by-State Guide on Psychedelic Laws

In the United States, psychedelics have been legalized and decriminalized in several areas of the country, including Oregon and Colorado, plus some cities in California, Michigan, Massachusetts and Washington State.

 

Note: This blog was last updated on 03/05/2025 and at the time of writing, this was the current state of play in the United States. Psychedelic regulation is in a state of flux and changes to the law happen regularly. Please check your individual city and state legislature for a more up-to-date understanding of the law.

What is Legalization vs. Decriminalization?

  • Legalization: Psychedelics are legally allowed for certain uses, typically medical or therapeutic, and are regulated by the government
  • Decriminalization: Possession and use are still technically illegal but carry reduced penalties (for example: no jail time, only a fine, or lowest law enforcement priority)

Legalized States for Medical / Therapeutic Use

  • Oregon: Legal psilocybin therapy (Measure 109, 2020)
  • Colorado: Regulated psilocybin access under Proposition 122 (2022)

Decriminalized States and Cities

  • Statewide
    • Oregon: Decriminalized all drugs, including psychedelics (2020)
    • Colorado: Decriminalized psilocybin, DMT, mescaline (not peyote), and ibogaine (2022)
  • Cities (local decriminalization, meaning law enforcement deprioritizes psychedelics)
    • California: Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz
    • Colorado: Denver
    • Michigan: Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and others
    • Massachusetts: Cambridge, Somerville, Northampton
    • Washington State: Seattle
    • Washington, D.C.

Active Legislation

This means a bill has been introduced and is being considered by lawmakers but hasn’t yet passed into law. It can be in different stages, like committee review, voting, or awaiting a governor’s signature.

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Rhode Island
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia

Our favorite (and very detailed!) resources about psychedelic legalization are regularly updated by Psychedelic Alpha:

 

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider before undertaking a new health care regime. Unlimited Sciences does not give or substitute for medical advice. The products and services discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Please click here to read our full disclaimer.

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