U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Ibogaine | |
REGULATED | Yes |
STATUS | Scheduled |
SCHEDULE | Schedule I |
CLASSIFICATION | Hallucinogen |
Both Ibogaine and its source plant Tabernanthe iboga are Schedule I in the United States. This means they are illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) without a DEA license.
The first ibogaine-related arrest that we know of occured in Dec 2005. Although no actual importation occured, a couple was charged with conspiracy to import Ibogaine. See Casper Star Tribune from Casper, Wyoming, Dec 9, 2005.
U.S. STATE LAW #
California: (Oakland) #
The SF-bay area city of Oakland de-prioritized / decriminalized the possession of "entheogenic plants" including psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline-containing cacti, iboga, and DMT-containing plants such as those used in ayahuasca on June 4 2019 at 23:12 (11:12pm) on a "unanimous vote" (although it appeared at least one councilperson abstained. This effort was lead by Decriminalize Nature Oakland. The Oakland resolution did not decriminalize opiate-containing plants. Congratulations to those who worked this successful campaign! The text of the resolution included: "RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Council hereby declare that it shall be the policy of the City of Oakland that no department, agency, board, commission, officer or employee of the city, including without limitation, Oakland Police Department personnel, shall use any city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties for the use and possession of Entheogenic Plants by adults; [... and ...] RESOLVED That the Mayor and City Council hereby declare that it shall be the policy of the City of Oakland that the investigation and arrest of adult persons for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with, and/or possessing Entheogenic Plants or plant compounds on the Federal Schedule 1 list shall be amongst the lowest law enforcement priority for the City of Oakland; [...]" (last updated June 4 2019)
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
Ibogaine may be illegal to possess & sell in Australia, but it does not appear to be listed in the controlled substances lists (Search Australian Law). Ibogaine is clearly illegal to import into Australia without a license, it is "Schedule IV" in the import laws: AU Import Regulations.
Brazil #
Ibogaine does not appear to be controlled in Brazil. (thanks S)
Belgium #
Purified ibogaine is restricted. It is unclear whether the T. iboga root powder is also restricted, but may be.
Canada #
Ibogaine appears to be uncontrolled in Canada. We have been told that it is available in headshops in Vancouver. (unconfirmed) (thanks R)
Denmark #
Ibogaine was added to Denmark's controlled substances list on Dec 3 2003 following a recommendation of The National Board of Health concerning tabernanthe iboga and ibogain (12-methoxyibogamin). Tabernanthe iboga and ibogain (12-methoxyibogamin) may now only be used for medical or scientific purposes. The Executive Order is available on the ELDD.
England #
As of late 1998, the Home Office Drug Unit reported that Ibogaine is not specifically listed in the Controlled Substances List in the UK. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) does not recognize Ibogaine as a drug, but does not that it is credited with having hallucinogenic properties. This apparently means that it is legal to buy or import for personal use, but to sell it, administer it to others, or make it available as a treament would likely be illegal without a prescription.
Finland #
We have been told that ibogaine and its parts are uncontrolled in Finland. (unconfirmed) (thanks S)
France #
Tabernanthe iboga, Tabernanthe manii, and ibogaine were all added to the list of controlled substances in France on March 12, 2007. See rb.juris-classeur.com: "Tabernanthe iboga, Tabernanthe manii, ibogaine, ses isomères, esters, éthers et leurs sels qu'ils soient d'origine naturelle ou synthétique ainsi que toutes préparations qui en contiennent." (thanks CHG) (last updated Mar 31, 2007)
Japan #
We have been told that powdered iboga root is available in headshops in Japan. (unconfirmed) (thanks S4M)
Poland #
Ibogaine is not scheduled in Poland. (unconfirmed)
Slovenia #
We have been told that T. Iboga as a plant (including it's dried and/or powdered parts, extracts and pure ibogaine) are not listed in any group of the PAS list, so it should be legal to possess. It is probably not legal to sell it as a food supplement. (unconfirmed) (thanks MA)
Sweden #
We have heard that purified ibogaine is the equivalent of a Schedule I drug in Sweden. It is unclear whether the plant T. iboga is also restricted. (unconfirmed)
Switzerland #
Purified ibogaine is restricted. It is unclear whether the T. iboga root powder is also restricted, but may be.
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
