Are Psychedelics Legal in Finland Yet?

The Finnish people have a long history of using both medicinal and magical mushrooms, especially the Amanita muscaria. 

Despite its history, Finland’s laws on all psychedelics are prohibitionist. Serious offenses like manufacturing and trafficking, as well as simple possession, carry heavy punishments. 

Although studies show these substances could be helpful in medical and psychological treatments, there are no legal psychedelics in the country.

This article will discuss the legal status of magic mushrooms, MDMA, LSD, DMT, and more. 

Summary of Psychedelic Drug Laws in Finland

1. Most psychedelic substances are illegal here — the exception is the Amanita mushroom.
2. Drug offense penalties can range from fines up to ten years in prison.
3. Medicinal cannabis is legal, but it is strictly controlled and challenging to obtain.
4. Institutions and petitions are pushing for decriminalization.

Finland’s Penalties for Possession Chart

Possession Amount	Penalty
Personal Use	Fine or up to 6 months in jail
Larger Amounts	Fine or up to 2 years in jail
Aggravated Circumstances	1-10 years in jail

Sources:

• Narcotics Act
• Penal Code (Chpt. 50, Narcotics Offenses)
• Finland Country Drug Report 2019
• Narcotics control — fimea englanti 

Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Finland?

No, magic mushrooms are not legal in Finland.

As part of the European Union, Finland adheres to international treaties like the EU Drug Strategy. Magic mushrooms are considered an illicit drug at a national level under the Narcotics Act. Therefore, possession of psychedelic mushrooms is a criminal offense.

The penalties for drug possession in Finland range from a fine to up to six months of imprisonment if considered for personal use. If the person sought treatment before, the prosecution could be waived.

Much more severe penalties are reserved for trafficking. Penalties can extend up to 10 years in prison for this, but convictions this long are exceedingly rare. 

These policies claim to be an effort to minimize health and personal harm, but this statement is outdated. Psilocybin has been shown to have a low potential for abuse and clear medicinal value reported by experts at John Hopkins. Still, magic mushrooms continue to be misclassified throughout Europe.

However, there might be hope for the future of psychedelics in Finland. The Finnish Association for Psychedelic Research (PSYTY) promotes the scientific research of the potential these substances harness and is pushing for policy change.

Legal Status of Magic Mushrooms in Europe

Where to Buy Magic Mushroom Spores in Finland

Attempts to grow psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited under the 50th chapter of the penal code. This means that, although magic mushroom spores do not contain actual psilocybin, they are still considered illegal in Finland.

Most other countries don’t regulate the sale of non-psychoactive spores, so Finland’s stance on mushrooms is more strict than average.

Even if you do not intend to cultivate mushrooms from the spores, you can’t buy them or import them.

Do Magic Mushrooms Grow Wild in Finland?

Yes, there are wild magic mushroom species in Finland.

You can find native psychedelic mushrooms growing throughout Finland. We’ve gathered a list of the most common ones you can find here. Be careful and do your own research when picking wild mushrooms, as psychedelic fungi can be easily confused with harmful ones.

List of psychedelic mushroom species reported in Finland:

• Conocybe kuehneriana
• Panaeolus cinctulus
• Panaeolus fimicola
• Panaeolus olivaceus
• Pholiotina cyanopus
• Pluteus salicinus
• Psilocybe fimetaria
• Psilocybe medullosa
• Psilocybe semilanceata

What Are the Medicinal Uses of Shrooms?

Psychedelics have been proven to have great medicinal benefits, especially in treating psychological disorders.

For this reason, North America and some European countries are considering the legalization of these substances. Canada, for example, has legalized the medicinal use of magic mushrooms, and the results from this seem favorable.

These are some of the medical benefits that psychedelics can improve:

Depression

Depression is a condition that has become increasingly problematic over the last few decades. Current treatment consists of antidepressants, which work by stopping certain neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed into neurons. While this effectively reduces the symptoms, it does not address the underlying cause.

Psychedelics have been shown to create new thought patterns and facilitate mystical or epiphanic episodes. Alongside therapy, these effects can be incredibly effective at treating depression, even after a single session.

The main advantage of this therapy is that once the new patterns are created, they remain in place for weeks, months, or even years. This means you do not need to keep taking psychedelics to feel better.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Also known as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder creates a constant feeling of stress even years after experiencing or witnessing trauma. It’s treated with the same medications used for depression, as they can stabilize your mood.

However, both psycholytic therapy and psychedelic therapy have proven to be effective ways to improve the symptoms that come with PTSD. 

Psycholytic therapy uses small doses of psychedelics during treatments to disarm defense mechanisms and allow for deeper introspection. It also strengthens the bond between patient and therapist.

Psychedelic therapy uses full doses followed by intense psychotherapy sessions. This helps break negative thought patterns and create a new frame for these memories.

Existential Anxiety

When nearing the end of life, people can experience existential anxiety. It is an overwhelming sense of angst regarding life’s purpose.

When doctors use psilocybin during palliative care, they notice significant improvements. Terminal patients can better accept their fate and manage their emotions.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches can last for weeks and are so strong that they can be debilitating. Research has shown that psilocybin can help alleviate the pain.

Around 85% of people that used psilocybin or LSD said they experienced immediate relief, and some even reported remission of the symptoms. The exact mechanism of how psychedelics work for cluster headaches is unknown since no formal clinical trials exist.

Addiction

Psychedelics are an invaluable tool in treating addiction, as many help curb intense cravings common in an addict’s brain.

Accompanied by therapy, psilocybin can help reduce the consumption of alcohol and tobacco dramatically. In a 2014 study, nearly 80% of people stopped smoking after six months of therapy with psilocybin.

Is LSD Legal in Finland?

No, LSD is not legal in Finland.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is considered an illicit psychoactive drug under the Narcotics Act. Possessing even the smallest amount of LSD in Finland can result in a six-month prison sentence.

The only exception is when using it for medical or scientific research, and the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea must give the authorization for this.

There are also dozens of other related compounds (collectively referred to as lysergamide psychedelics) that are officially listed on the Finnish prohibited substances list. 

A few examples of LSD-analogs banned in Finland include LSZ, ALD-52, AL-LAD, ETH-LAD, 1P-LSD, and others. 

PRO-LAD, 1B-LSD, and 1V-LSD are not included on this list. 

Is DMT Legal in Finland?

No, DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is not legal in Finland.

Both N,N,DMT and 5-MeO-DMT are explicitly listed as illegal to possess, produce or distribute in Finland. Even if you have a research license, it can be revoked anytime if you are considered irresponsible.

Although ayahuasca, yopo, and changa are not specified as illegal, one can assume those in possession could be fined if discovered since DMT is included in relatively high concentrations. However, it’s unclear if there have been any actual charges for ayahuasca or changa possession in Finland.

Is MDMA Legal in Finland?

No, MDMA is illegal in Finland.

MDMA is another substance with significant medicinal potential, with countries pushing for its legalization in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Despite this, Finland penalizes the possession of MDMA.

The list of prohibited substances in Finland includes several amphetamine psychedelics in addition to MDMA, including MDA, DOC, DOI, TMA, and others. 

DOM is not listed.  

Is Ketamine Legal in Finland?

Ketamine is only legal in Finland for medical purposes.

Ketamine is mainly used for maintaining anesthesia and treating depression and PTSD. 

You cannot buy ketamine or any ketamine analogs in Finland. It can only be administered by a registered clinician and only with specific inclusion criteria.

Other arylcyclohexylamine psychedelics are also considered illegal here, including PCP, O-PCE, 3-HO-PCP, 3-MEO-PCP, 3-MEO-PCE, 3-Flouro-PCP, 4-MeO-PCP and more. 

Is Marijuana Legal in Finland?

Medical cannabis is legal in Finland.

Although cannabis is considered a narcotic and its recreational use is illegal, you may get it for medical reasons if prescribed by a doctor. Getting a prescription here is notoriously difficult. Out of the 5.5 million Finnish citizens, roughly 250 have been given a prescription for medical cannabis.

Even if approved, the medical cannabis industry here is severely lacking — it’s reportedly very difficult to obtain marijuana through the legal system in Finland.

As a result, there remains a healthy black market for cannabis products in Finland. 

Similarly, delta 8, delta 9, delta 10 THC, and HHC are all considered illegal.

What’s the Difference Between Legalization & Decriminalization?

You may believe these two concepts to be similar, but legalization and decriminalization are not the same. Understanding the difference is critical when supporting petitions and campaigns.

Decriminalization means a significant or complete reduction in the penalties for the offense. When a substance is decriminalized, you could get a fine for possession, but you will not be sent to jail. In some cases, repeat offenders can get caught with a jail sentence. 

Legalization abolishes all penalties. Legalizing a substance puts regulations in place so that every person that wants to buy it can do it safely. It adds manufacturing, quality, and safety standards, along with age restrictions for buyers (such as age limits or order quantities).

Key Takeaways: What’s the Future of Psychedelics in Finland?

Finnish laws are more strict than other European countries, and they must adhere to the EU international regulations. This doesn’t mean things will never change, though. 

With international pressure from other countries, new research, and citizen support, psychedelics may have a bright future in Finland. Associations like the PSYTY and national universities give us hope for leniency, at least for medical reasons.