Psychedelic Drug Laws in Paraguay
Despite their recently discovered therapeutic benefits, psychedelics are illegal in most countries, including Paraguay.
This article will inform you about this country’s psychedelics drug laws. We’ll also show you the many medicinal properties discovered in recent years. In addition, we’ll list some of the magic mushroom species you can find in the wild in this part of the world.
Summary of Psychedelic Drug Laws in Paraguay
- Psychedelics are (mostly) illegal in Paraguay
- You can find three species of magic mushrooms growing wild here
- Marijuana is decriminalized, and its medicinal use is legal
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Paraguay?
No, magic mushrooms are not legal in Paraguay.
According to law 1340/88, all substances included in the list annexed to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs are dangerous. These include psilocybin and many other psychedelics.
Penalties related to these compounds are harsh, and Article 16 states that anyone who supplies them can be sentenced to up to twenty years of imprisonment.
Although Paraguay considers psilocybin a dangerous substance, recent studies say the opposite. Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that this psychedelic could help treat different disorders, which we will mention later.
Learn more about magic mushrooms.
Where to Buy Magic Mushroom Spores in Paraguay
Paraguayan law omits magic mushroom spores, so we assume they are legal, as they are in many other countries. Also, they do not contain psilocybin or any illicit substance, so they are unlikely to get you into trouble for possessing them.
You will probably find websites, Facebook, or Instagram pages that sell them. However, remember that cultivating magic mushrooms is illegal, and the penalties are the same as possessing them — ten to twenty years in prison.
Do Magic Mushrooms Grow Wild in Paraguay?
Yes, magic mushrooms grow wild everywhere worldwide, including Paraguay.
Magic mushrooms grow naturally globally except in frigid places like Antarctica. In Paraguay, you can find three of the most common psilocybin mushroom species worldwide. Below, we will tell you in which areas each one is frequently found.
Panaeolus cinctulus
This species is common on farms, as it grows mainly on goat and cow manure. It is also often found in gardens from spring to autumn, especially after heavy rains.
Panaeolus cyanescens
Like Panaeolus cinctulus, this species grows on piles of farm animal manure. You can also find it in tropical and neotropical areas during spring and autumn.
Psilocybe cubensis
This species is tremendously common, and you will probably find it in rural areas after long rains on cow dung.
What Are the Medicinal Uses of Shrooms?
Various psychedelic research programs have shown psilocybin has significant therapeutic benefits. For this reason, many countries in Europe and North America are reviewing their psychedelic laws. Some, like Canada, have already taken action, legalizing psilocybin and MDMA therapy.
The greatest recognition of psilocybin is its capacity to treat complex disorders such as depression, existential anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Most psychedelics can help the patient enter a deeper state of consciousness, providing a better understanding of the source of the trauma. They also help relax the mind of the patient, in turn resulting in a more fluid therapy session.
Furthermore, psilocybin has also proven effective in treating addictions, as it helps to reduce cravings.
Also, many patients report that psilocybin and other psychedelics relieve cluster headache attacks. Still, science can’t explain exactly how they achieve this.
Lastly, psychedelics may also help increase your problem-solving skills and creativity.
Is LSD Legal in Paraguay?
No, LSD is illegal in Paraguay.
LSD reached peak popularity in the 1970s yet but appears to be increasing in use again around South America. It possesses effects similar to those of psilocybin and can also help treat several of the conditions mentioned above.
This hallucinogenic drug is also on Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Therefore, if the police catch you with this substance, penalties range from 10 to 20 years in prison.
Related substances, such as LSZ, PRO-LAD, and ETH-LAD, are becoming more popular in South America as well. These compounds, called lysergamide psychedelics, are very similar to LSD and possess many of the same effects.
Is DMT Legal in Paraguay?
No, DMT is not legal in Paraguay.
DMT is also listed as a Schedule I drug — meaning that Paraguay considers it a hazardous substance.
This psychedelic is the main ingredient of ayahuasca and yopo — and its smokable form changa — and can even be found on psychedelic toads in some countries. Although the law does not mention them, they are probably illegal because of their high DMT content.
The penalties for possessing this substance are very harsh: 10 to 20 years in prison.
Is MDMA Legal in Paraguay?
No, MDMA is not legal in Paraguay.
MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is another psychedelic with numerous therapeutic benefits. Indeed, countries such as Canada have approved its medical use.
However, the drug is highly illegal in Paraguay, and local penalties will make you think twice before possessing it. If the police catch you with this substance, you can go from ten to twenty years in prison.
Is Ketamine Legal in Paraguay?
No, ketamine is illegal in Paraguay.
Although the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs does not mention ketamine, article 1 of law 1340/88 includes all substances that produce hallucinations. Therefore, we can assume that it is illegal.
However, this psychedelic is also helpful for treating various mental disorders: that’s why many countries are considering changing their laws [1]. Some states are even legalizing ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
Is Marijuana Legal in Paraguay?
Cannabis is legal only for medicinal use in Paraguay.
In 2018, Bill No. 6007 was passed, allowing the medicinal and scientific use of cannabis and its derivatives. This includes delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10 THC THC and CBD, as long as there is an authorization from a physician.
Moreover, in 2020, bill 6602/2020 was presented to permit self-cultivation for medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, it was later rejected by legislators.
The possession of marijuana is decriminalized, allowing the ownership of up to 10 grams. Still, the law punishes those possessing higher quantities, cultivating or planting, with up to 20 years in prison.
What’s the Difference Between Legalization & Decriminalization?
Although they are different terms, many people assume that decriminalization and legalization are synonymous. Below, we will explain how they differ.
Decriminalization is simply when penalties for possession are reduced — some countries directly eliminate penalties for immediate personal use. This prevents small amount users from going to jail and being branded as criminals.
Legalization goes a step further, removing all penalties and allowing commercialization. This measure is effective against black markets.
Key Takeaways: What’s the Future of Psychedelics in Paraguay?
Unfortunately, the penalties for possessing psychedelics are pretty harsh in Paraguay. However, they have approved the medicinal use of cannabis, so they will probably allow the use of some psychedelics in the future.
In addition, an increasing amount of research is proving psychedelics are helpful for medicinal use. Some countries, like Canada and Portugal, have legalized or decriminalized a few of these compounds with impressive positive results.
References
- Mandal, S., Sinha, V. K., & Goyal, N. (2019). Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(5), 480.
