The legal status of psilocybin in the U.S. in 2025 is a complex mix of federal prohibition and rapidly evolving state and local reforms. Psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, meaning it remains illegal with no currently accepted use in a medical context. This federal classification significantly complicates clinical research and broader access. However, a growing grassroots movement has led many cities and states to adopt their own laws around psychedelics, and psilocybin in particular, creating a varied legal landscape across the country.
States like Oregon (since 2020) and Colorado (since 2022) have pioneered regulated psilocybin therapy programs. Oregon's Measure 109 established supervised service centers, while Colorado's Proposition 122 not only created similar healing centers but also decriminalized personal possession, use, and even cultivation of certain natural psychedelics for adults 21 and over, though retail sales are still banned. Many other cities, including Portland, Maine, have also decriminalized psilocybin, reducing penalties for personal use but not legalizing commercial activity. This creates a confusing patchwork of laws where legality changes from one jurisdiction to the next, and while scientific evidence for psilocybin's therapeutic potential is strong, and the FDA has granted it "breakthrough therapy" status, the federal stance is still unclear.
Leading the charge in navigating this complex landscape is Sam Chapman, Executive Director for the Center for Psychedelic Policy, helping states design, fund, and implement real-world solutions to make psychedelic therapy accessible to the people who need it most. Chapman brings over a decade of experience advocating for drug policy reforms at local, state, and national levels, notably championing Oregon’s groundbreaking Measure 109, which established the nation’s first state-regulated psilocybin therapy program. His insights are crucial for understanding the intricacies of these emerging policies and their real-world impact and we had the fortune to speak with Sam at Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver.
Want to dive deeper?