Psychedelic Drug Laws in Guyana
Guyana has very conservative laws concerning psychedelics, penalizing their possession with harsh fines and prison sentences.
Though illegal in Guyana and most parts of the world, psychedelics are becoming increasingly relevant worldwide for their potential in psychotherapy.
In this article, we’ll cover the legality of psychedelics in this Guyana. We’ll also show you the therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms and where to find them in this beautiful country.
Summary of Psychedelic Drug Laws in Guyana
- Psychedelics are illegal in Guyana
- Marijuana is illegal for both medicinal and recreational use
- You can legally buy magic mushrooms spores since they don’t contain psilocybin
- The penalty for possession of any controlled substance is harsh
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Guyana?
No, magic mushrooms are illegal in Guyana. Drug-related offenses can result in severe punishment under Guyanese law. Psilocybin — the main compound in magic mushrooms — is a part of Guyana’s Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances Act.
If the police find you with any amount of these scheduled substances, you might face up to 5 years of imprisonment along with fines of up to $30,000 (USD.) Larger quantities can work the penalties up to roughly double this.
Is LSD Legal in Guyana?
No, LSD is a controlled substance under Guyanese law. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a dangerous substance in the eyes of Guyana, and the penalties for possessing it are likewise very harsh.
While there isn’t any mention of LSD analogs, the law penalizes substances containing the compound. As such, it’s safe to assume 1P-LSD, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, and similar research chemicals are also illegal.
You can face up to 5 years in jail, even for low quantities, and receive fines of thousands of dollars. For more significant amounts, penalties can double, with sentences of up to 10 years in prison.
Is DMT Legal in Guyana?
No, DMT is also illegal in Guyana. DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is also on Guyana’s list of controlled substances, and the penalties for possessing it are also harsh.
Ayahuasca — and its smokable form changa — have an indigenous history of use by tribes of the region, but they remain illegal for everyone else. If the police catch you with DMT, you can spend up to 5 years in jail.
Guyanese law only mentions N,N-DMT so the legal status of other types of DMT (such as 5-MeO DMT) remains unclear.
Is MDMA Legal in Guyana?
No, MDMA is illegal in Guyana. MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) — or ecstasy — is popular at local parties but is still illegal. Interestingly, it also has some of the most research into therapeutic benefits leading countries like Canada to legalize MDMA-based therapy.
Unfortunately, ecstasy is illegal in Guyana, and penalties of up to 10 years in jail are possible for possessing it.
Is Ketamine Legal in Guyana?
Ketamine is not legal in Guyana. Ketamine has an established use in veterinary surgery, but Guyana prohibits other unauthorized uses of ketamine. However, most of its related compounds (known as arylcyclohexylamines) may exist in a legal grey area.
Is Marijuana Legal in Guyana?
Cannabis is entirely illegal in Guyana. Marijuana is illegal in Guyana for recreational and medicinal use, including all its derivatives, such as delta-8, –9, and –10 THC, and even CBD.
Penalties for possession can run as high as 3–5 years in prison for less than 15 grams.
Key Takeaways: What’s the Future of Psychedelics in Guyana?
Guyana’s penalties for psychedelic offenses — and all drugs — are very harsh. However, as more research emerges and other countries start approving the use of these drugs, maybe they will change their tune [1].
For now, Guyana prohibits all psychedelics, and you should not try entering the country possessing any of these compounds.
References
- Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin. Neurotherapeutics, 14, 734-740.
