LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a synthetic psychedelic derived from the ergot fungus. The effects are similar to psilocybin.
LSD is illegal worldwide.
Like psilocybin, LSD is considered a Class A drug under UK law. Drugs belonging to this class are considered to be the most dangerous.
The maximum penalty for LSD possession in the UK is seven years in jail.
The UK has what’s called the Analogue Act — which makes all isomers of illegal substances illegal by default as well. This means all lysergamide psychedelics are illegal in the UK, too — including LSZ, 1P-LSD, ETH-LAD, PRO-LAD, ALD-52, AL-LAD, and more.
Is MDMA Legal In The UK?
MDMA (ecstasy) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogenic substance. In recent years, its use has grown significantly, especially in young people. Are psychedelics legal in the United Kingdom?
Like the drugs mentioned above, MDMA is illegal in the UK.
It’s included in the class A category, which means it’s considered dangerous. If caught with this MDMA, you can spend up to 7 years in prison, depending on the amount and any prior convictions. The more often you’re caught breaking this law, the bigger the punishment.
Is Ketamine Legal In The UK? | Are psychedelics legal in the United Kingdom?
No. Ketamine —an anesthetic often used in surgery or veterinary medicine —is illegal in the UK for recreative purposes.
Ketamine is a dissociative with a wide range of therapeutic benefits. In the states, it’s being used as a treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In lower doses, it’s used recreationally as a party drug similar to MDMA. Unlike most other psychedelics, ketamine can become habit-forming and lead to addiction.
Historically, ketamine was considered a Class C substance in the country. However, since 2014 it has been reclassified to Class B. This means that now penalties for use and possession are harsher than before. This change was adopted as an attempt to reduce the recent uptick in ketamine-related addictions. So far, this change has not produced any significant change in ketamine addiction.
The penalty for the illegal possession of ketamine is five years in prison.
What’s The Difference Between Legalization & Decriminalization
It’s essential to understand the differences between legalization and decriminalization. This will save you from future problems that may arise by misinterpreting these terms.
When we talk about decriminalization, we mean that the penalties for a prohibited activity are reduced. This doesn’t make it legal, but it does remove criminal charges and jail time from offenders. You may still get a fine and/or confiscation of materials.
Legalization means completely removing any penalties for a substance or activity that was previously illegal. There may still be restrictions in place for legalized substances.
Key Takeaways: What’s The Future of Psychedelics in The United Kingdom?
The UK is slowly moving towards the legalization of certain psychedelics for medical use. This is a trend we’re finding all over the world.
Many other countries, including Portugal and Spain, have moved to decriminalize drugs as a way to reduce problems with addiction and abuse of addictive substances (with promising results so far). We don’t see this happening anytime soon in the UK.