Join Our Free Newsletter
Get a weekly round-up of news on psychedelics, as well as the occasional article, by joining our free newsletter. For more, join Pα+.
Psychedelic Legalization & Decriminalization Tracker
A collaboration between Psychedelic Alpha and:
Mapping Psychedelic Drug Policy Reform in the United States
As the psychedelic renaissance contributes to a swelling pool of safety and efficacy data pertaining to the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic medicine, many localities—particularly in North America—are revising their legal frameworks.
This is happening in a number of ways: from the least rigorous incarnation which involves making the enforcement of psychedelics’ illegality the lowest law enforcement priority in a given city (such as in Oakland and Washington, DC), right through to state-wide legalization of specific psychedelics (such as in Oregon and Colorado). This interactive map seeks to capture these reforms at the state and local level.
In 2021, we published the first psychedelic policy reform tracker with support from our friends at Calyx Law and Emerge Law Group. Given the pace of change in this realm, in late 2024 we teamed up with the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) to maintain the map.
To be sure, this map is intended to be helpful and is not definitive. We welcome your feedback, which you can share via policy@psychedelicalpha.com. ∎
A note from the Editors
As scientific research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics grows, so does legal and political support. This interactive psychedelic law and policy map, a collaboration between the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP), Psychedelic Alpha, and Calyx Law, offers a guide to the shifting legal landscape. To develop the map, the BCSP built on the substantive work of its partners: Psychedelic Alpha, an independent media outlet, community and consultancy firm in the psychedelic field, and Calyx Law, a boutique law firm focusing on psychedelics and emerging technologies. The map aims to provide real-time updates on state-level bills and initiatives focused on decriminalization and legal access to psychedelic therapies, offering researchers, policymakers, and the public a clear, at-a-glance view of where changes occur and what specific measures are being proposed or enacted.
The BCSP, Psychedelic Alpha, and Calyx Law recognize that existing policy trackers do not fully capture Indigenous laws and rights regarding psychedelics. We acknowledge the importance of ensuring greater inclusion and accuracy around policy developments.
We are working on additional tools and context about Indigenous laws regarding psychedelics. If you have feedback or ideas on how we can improve this effort, we would be grateful for your insights. Please email the BCSP’s managing editor, Charley Locke, at charleylocke@berkeley.edu
Suggestions & Comments
As with all our resources, we welcome feedback and suggestions on this psychedelic drug policy reform tracker. Please contact policy@psychedelicalpha.com.
Disclaimer
This tracker is provided for informational purposes only, with no guarantees of its completeness or accuracy. It is not legal advice. Before pursuing any activities that may carry legal risks or penalties, you should consult with a lawyer in your jurisdiction.
