Doing Psychedelics in Honduras: Legal or Illegal?

Honduras might seem like a beautiful country to enjoy some magic mushrooms. The thing is, like other Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize, Honduras has adopted a conservative stance towards psychedelics and other drugs.

It’s true that the enforcement of drug laws can actually be a lot more relaxed than the legislation makes it appear, especially with regard to tourists, but there is always the possibility that some random police officer or judge decides to make an example out of you.

So what does the law actually say when it comes to psychedelics? Are the penalties the same when compared to other drugs? Is there a personal consumption limit that is decriminalized? If these are the questions you’re interested in, please continue reading.

Summary of Psychedelic Drug Laws in Honduras

1. The legislation which directs drug policy in Honduras is known as the “Law on the improper use and illicit trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances,” and it effectively criminalizes the possession, distribution, and use of all drugs except for tobacco and alcohol.
2. The production of illicit substances carries a punishment of nine to fifteen years in prison, while the trafficking of illicit substances carries a punishment of up to fifteen to twenty years.
3. The law even seeks to punish those who induce others to consume illegal drugs and applies incredibly harsh penalties if said person happens to be a minor.
4. For the first offense, the law says that the person arrested must be interned in a rehabilitation center for up to 30 days, as well as having to pay a fine.
5. Foreigners who are caught with illicit drugs may be expelled from Honduras even if the said drugs are considered to be for personal use only, a decision which is ultimately determined by the judge and the specifics of each case.

Sources

• Law on the Improper Use and Illicit Trafficking of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
• TransNational Institute – Drug Policy Reform – Honduras

Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Honduras?

Magic mushrooms are not legal in Honduras, nor are magic mushroom spores. Bringing magic mushrooms into Honduras might result in deportation, a heavy fine, or even prison time.

With that said magic mushrooms have a long history of use in Honduras and can be found throughout the country growing in forests, city parks, and ranchlands.

Is LSD Legal in Honduras?

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is illegal in Honduras.

All of LSD’s related analogs (lysergamides) are also illegal in Honduras. This includes compounds such as AL-LAD, 1P-LSD, LSZ, ETH-LAD, and PRO-LAD.

Penalties range from 1 to 5 years for simple possession and up to 20 years for trafficking.

Is DMT Legal in Honduras?

DMT use and/or possession is completely illegal in Honduras.

However, you might have some luck if you find an “ayahuasca” tourism experience, as these are usually run by native peoples, which the government turns a blind eye to in terms of drug policy.

Psychotourism is becoming a major economic driver for parts of Central and South America, so governments often look the other way.

All DMT variations, such as changa and yopo, are technically illegal in Honduras.

Is MDMA Legal in Honduras?

As an amphetamine compound, MDMA is illegal in Honduras.

Getting caught with MDMA could easily lead to deportation, a hefty fine, or even some jail time. We do not recommend engaging with MDMA while in Honduras.

According to Honduran law, the possession of any amount of MDMA can result in imprisonment for a minimum of five years, while trafficking or distribution of the drug can result in much harsher penalties, including up to 20 years in prison or more.

Is Ketamine Legal in Honduras?

Ketamine is illegal in Honduras.

The legislation might not mention all of the compounds now known in the arylcyclohexylamine class, but Honduran legislation is set up to prevent anyone from getting off on a mere technicality.

Is Cannabis Legal in Honduras?

Cannabis, in all of its types and all of its derivatives, is totally illegal in Honduras. Indeed, there are no personal dose allowances or anything of the kind.

Don’t bring cannabis into Honduras, as you might get deported, face jail time, or have to pay a massive fine.

Implementation of Drug Policy in Honduras

Those who are interested in drug policy know very well that although the law might stipulate one thing, the reality of the situation might be quite another. In this sense, there are certain things that must be cleared up.

Since there are no state-run rehabilitation facilities in Honduras, the government doesn’t actually have the means to intern someone who has been caught with the possession of illicit drugs. Instead, what usually happens is the following: once the judicial process has been initiated for the alleged possession, if the quantity seized is considered minimal, based on the crime laboratory report, then the judge will understand it as an incident of possession for immediate personal use and set the person free, although a fee might be levied.

Drug-Related Violence in Honduras

Drug-related violence is a huge problem in Honduras. In fact, with a murder rate of 36 out of 100,000 people, Honduras is the most dangerous country in the region and one of the most violent in the world.

Like in neighboring El Salvador, the majority of this violence is due to criminal gangs who fight each other for control of the lucrative assets related to the illegal drug trade.

The rampant violence in Honduras has recently been tamped down with the application of a massive crackdown by the state. However, many NGOs are worried about the possibility of human rights violations because of a lack of due process.

The complicated situation in Honduras has, in large part, served to ingrain the government’s prohibitionist stance onto the general public. Some reformist attitudes do exist in the country, but they’re largely ineffectual. It’s very hard to argue for the decriminalization of drugs when these laws would mostly benefit criminal gang members.

The Future of Drug Laws in Honduras

If you’re traveling to Honduras, we suggest that you avoid the purchase and use of psychedelics. If you happen to get caught with a small amount of magic mushrooms, the punishment might be light, or you might get immediately deported back to your country of origin. It’s all up to the individual judges, so it’s a bit of a toss-up.

The smart move, in this situation, is to not take the risk.

Also, in countries that have suffered enormous amounts of violence due to drug-related situations, the local population does not usually look at drug-consuming tourists with much kindness, and it’s no wonder why they don’t.

Honduras is a beautiful country with plenty to see, so the lack of psychedelics shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who’s just trying to have a good time.