The legal landscape around psychedelics is shifting rapidly. From city-level decriminalization to FDA breakthrough therapy designations, here's what you need to know—and where to track the latest changes.

The Current Landscape

Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA remain Schedule I controlled substances at the federal level in the United States, meaning they're classified as having no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. However, this classification is increasingly at odds with the growing body of clinical research.

What's changing:

  • State-level legalization — Oregon (2020) and Colorado (2022) have passed measures creating legal frameworks for psilocybin-assisted therapy
  • City-level decriminalization — Over a dozen U.S. cities have deprioritized enforcement of laws against psychedelics
  • FDA designations — Psilocybin and MDMA have received "Breakthrough Therapy" status, fast-tracking clinical trials
  • Ketamine — Already legal and increasingly used off-label for depression; FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato) available since 2019

Track the Changes

Psychedelic Alpha — Legalization & Decriminalization Tracker The most comprehensive, regularly updated interactive map of psychedelic policy reform in the U.S. and beyond. A collaboration with UC Berkeley and Calyx Law.

View the Tracker →

Psychedelic Alpha — Worldwide Psychedelic Laws Global overview of psychedelic legal status by country.

View Worldwide Laws →

Clinical Trials

Clinical research is the primary pathway toward FDA approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies. Major studies are underway for:

Psilocybin

  • Treatment-resistant depression
  • Major depressive disorder
  • End-of-life anxiety
  • Alcohol and tobacco use disorders

MDMA

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Ketamine / Esketamine

  • Treatment-resistant depression (FDA-approved)
  • Suicidal ideation

Other compounds in research:

  • LSD (anxiety, depression)
  • Ibogaine (opioid use disorder)
  • 5-MeO-DMT (depression, anxiety)
  • Ayahuasca / DMT (depression)

Key Organizations in Clinical Research

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) Leading MDMA-assisted therapy trials for PTSD. maps.org

Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research Pioneering psilocybin research for depression, addiction, and end-of-life distress. hopkinspsychedelic.org

UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics Research, policy analysis, and practitioner training. psychedelics.berkeley.edu

Imperial College London — Centre for Psychedelic Research Leading European research institution studying psilocybin and other compounds. imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre

Usona Institute Nonprofit conducting psilocybin trials for major depressive disorder. usonainstitute.org

Important Notes

This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Before pursuing any activities that may carry legal risks, consult with a lawyer in your area.

Clinical trials are not the same as legal access. Even with FDA breakthrough status, these substances remain illegal outside of approved research settings until full approval is granted.

State programs are emerging. Oregon's psilocybin services program launched in 2023, and Colorado's is in development. These create legal pathways for supervised therapeutic use—but only within those states and under specific conditions.

Stay Informed

The psychedelic policy landscape is evolving quickly. Bookmark these resources: