Derek, is Ayahuasca legal in the United States? Where can I get it?

"I want B. caapi - not DMT - for a science project." - Maryjane

Tropical Plant Database Photo. Banisteriopsis caapi - Ayahuasca.

Thank you for writing, Maryjane. It depends on what you mean by “Ayahuasca.” If are referring to what is commonly referred to as “Ayahuasca vine” - botanical name, Banisteriopsis caapi, it is available legally for possession and use in the U.S. BUT I am not a lawyer and the law is “fussy” and open to interpretation, and city, state and federal laws may overlap and contradict depending on where you are. Call local authorities and inquire if you have concerns. One thing is for sure. If you process B.caapi with plants containing high levels of DMT, you’re manufacturing a Schedule 1 drug legally no different from LSD or Mescaline and subject to severe legal penalaties. If you are importing B. caapi from South America, regardless of its “legality” in your city, town and state, be prepared for Customs intervention and seizure as recently happened to a reputable and trusted U.S. supplier definitely NOT in the drug business. If you are talking about a mixture of B. caapi and other herbs that contain DMT, which is the potent hallucinogen that gives B. caapi its over-the-top shamanic “oomph”, no dice. That’s big-time illegal along the lines of other Schedule 1 drugs. I have guinea-pigged B. caapi over the years and it is, to my way of thinking, mind-altering on a par with perhaps your grandmother’s nightly beddy-bye cup of Chamomile Tea or a couple of capsules of Passion Flower or Kava Kava. I put my B. caapi in a glass of charddonay and it adds a dreamy sort of relaxation to the wine.

CONSUMER ADVISORY: Derek Clontz’s Substack is not to be construed as legal advice. Consult a qualified legal professional and local authorities if you have questions about the legality of any herb.

Derek Clontz and MyHerbs.net, specializing in high-quality, hard-to-find herbs from China, Europe, the United States, Africa, South America and the South Seas since 1994. This is our 31st Anniversary Year.