Why Is Ibogaine Illegal?
From the beginning of the discovery of Ibogaine, Ibogaine was sold by the french as a medical treatment and olympic athletes began using ibogaine as a performance enhancement drug. It wasn’t until the early 1960’s that Howard Lotsof discovered the medicinal properties of Ibogaine in relationship to his opiate addiction. By the time Lotsof and others got around to scientifically testing Ibogaine it was too late. The mid 1960’s came with sweeping regulations by the FDA and Ibogaine, like all other psychedelic drugs, became a Scheduled and controlled substance in most countries. Ibogaine was made illegal to use on a personal level and for scientific testing. And Ibogaine may have been relatively new, but drugs like LSD were already showing huge promise in treating addictions. But the data didn’t matter. The FDA had made up its mind and these drugs were completely and totally outlawed, leaving many scientists scratching their heads from the lack of logic that surrounded these sweeping generalizations. Till date Ibogaine continues to remain a schedule 1 drug in the USA. Declared to have no medicinal value and to be extremely addictive. But the main question people around the world ask today is ; Well if the FDA says so it must be true, right?
Ibogaine is now legal in carlifornia
Oakland, California may become the first city in the United States to legalize the distribution and sale of psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca, in a way similar to how the city was the first to normalize commercial medical marijuana sales. Much has to happen before that broader drug policy reform becomes a reality, but the Oakland City Council took a decisive first step on Tuesday when it voted 6 to 0 to approve a measure decriminalizing the possession of “entheogenic” plant- and fungi-based substances, also including mescaline and ibogaine. read more here Marijuana Moment
Ibogaine illegal USA
Ibogaine Legal Regulation
New Zealand is the only country to have regulated the drug and made ibogaine legal, the medical advisory board Medsafe reported that "the number of deaths due to methadone, the most controlled substance, were a little higher than those associated with ibogaine treatment" To that effect Ibogaine is illegal in the US, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Croatia and Switzerland and strongly restricted in the UK under the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act Since ibogaine is illegal in the United States, Most American patients travel to foreign countries like Mexico and Brazil for ibogaine treatment. Ibogaine's side effects include hallucinations, of course, but also seizures and in rare cases, potentially fatal cardiac complications too. Still, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the FDA's label isn't accurate at all. Ibogaine is not counted in the UN International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Green List, or List of Psychoactive Substances under International Control. Though, since 1989, it has been on the list of doping substances disqualified by the International Olympic Committee and the International Union of Cyclists because of its stimulant properties. As a matter of fact, Tabernanthe iboga is a protected species in Gabon one of the countries in the world where the plant is mostly grown and valued for traditional purpose, where reports suggest that it may be threatened in it’s natural habitat. Because of this, iboga may be subject to the terms of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which 196 countries around the world (excluding only the United States and Vatican City) are parties. It is recommended that those who are involved in the trade of ibogaine review further information about the sustainability situation
COUNTRIES WHERE IBOGAINE IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL
UNITED STATES
Ibogaine has been a schedule I drug in the US since 1970, and it looks like it won’t change anytime soon. As such it’s illegal to possess or distribute ibogaine – so you won’t find any legal treatment centers in the US. Nevertheless, there’s hope on the horizon – in both New York and Vermont, bills are being considered to encourage the use of ibogaine in research and in the treatment of addiction.
BELGIUM
Ibogaine was banned as early as 1998 in Belgium by Royal Decree, where ibogaine and its isomers are specifically mentioned. Possession and distribution are illegal.
FRANCE
Ibogaine is illegal to possess and distribute, and has been since 2007. You’ll find it difficult to get treatment here.
HUNGARY
Ibogaine is listed under a law that prevents the distribution of psychoactive substances without a license it might be difficult to find any legal treatment centers here.
IRELAND
Ibogaine probably falls under Ireland’s Psychoactive Substances Act, which makes pretty much everything illegal. However, it leaves doors open for potential future research of ibogaine, allowing an exemption for substances that are “medicinal products intended for research and development trials.
ITALY
Custody or distribution of ibogaine is illegal in Italy, as it was added to the Schedule list recently.
SWITZERLAND
It’s illegal to possess or distribute ibogaine in Switzerland, as it is specifically listed as a prohibited substance.
SWEDEN
Ibogaine has been illegal to possess or distribute since 1985. The law was brought up for review in 2007, but ibogaine’s status remained the same.
UNITED KINGDOM
Ibogaine technically falls under the UK’s bizarre Psychoactive Substances Act, issued in May 2016, which makes it illegal to produce or distribute “any substance with a psychoactive effect.” Although there are no cases of people being prosecuted for providing ibogaine, the government could absolutely take you to court for doing so. Thankfully, possession of ibogaine for personal use is still legal; although buying it would be breaking the law.
COUNTRIES WHERE IBOGAINE IS SOMEWHAT PROHIBITED
AUSTRALIA
Ibogaine has been a Schedule IV drug in Australia for several years now, meaning it can’t be distributed without a license – and it doesn’t appear that the government have been handing out any ibogaine licenses…
CANADA
Although ibogaine falls under the category of “Natural Healthcare Products” in Canada, and there are many treatment centers to be found there, its legal status is uncertain. Recently, ibogaine has been seized from several providers, amid concerns over heart risks.
ISRAEL
In 2015, ibogaine was prohibited for distribution under an emergency declaration for 12 months. Since then, it’s unclear what ibogaine’s legal status has become, as information is murky.
COUNTRIES WHERE IBOGAINE IS LEGAL
BRAZIL
In Brazil, ibogaine is legal to possess and distribute. A recent law in Sao Paolo has decreed that ibogaine be administered in a medical environment with adequate protections for the patient.
COSTA RICA
Ibogaine is legal in Costa Rica, and one of the most famous ibogaine treatment centers resides here. However, there are some negative reviews out there, and it’s best to do your research before making a choice of an ibogaine treatment center.
GABON
This is the spiritual home of ibogaine. In Gabon, iboga plants are protected by law. However, approval must be given for any export of ibogaine.
GUATEMALA
Ibogaine appears to be legal in Guatemala, with one apparently legitimate treatment center in Antigua.
MEXICO
Ibogaine is unregulated in Mexico, and is a popular location for treatment centers.
NETHERLANDS
There is no specific prohibition of ibogaine in the Netherlands, and there are a variety of treatment centers available.
NEW ZEALAND
Since 2009, ibogaine has been legal by prescription in New Zealand. As such, you can find treatment centers that will offer you ibogaine from a medical professional.
SOUTH AFRICA
Ibogaine is legal in South Africa but you have to be granted a license to distribute it due to its potential heart risks.
Ibogaine is a relatively new drug to the Western world… as such, many countries have no specific laws to deal with ibogaine. If you don’t see a country on our list, it either has no specific prohibition of ibogaine, or we haven’t been able to find one. Always check with your local authority if you’re unsure.