Statewide legal status
Psilocybin and psilocyn remain Schedule I controlled substances under California law, and unauthorized possession remains punishable under state law. California has not enacted statewide psilocybin decriminalization.
CA legal and access quick reference
Reviewed on September 25, 2026 by iMD teamPsilocybin law and access in California
A concise, source-dated explanation of statewide law, regulated access, and the difference between state and local policy.
Laws and implementation can change quickly. This page is educational information, not legal advice.
Programs and services
California has no statewide licensed psilocybin service, medical-access, dispensary, or retail program.
Controlled · selected local policies
SB 58 was vetoed in 2023. AB 1103, enacted in 2025, changed review procedures for authorized controlled-substance research; it did not legalize possession or create public access. AB 2489 is a 2026 research proposal still in committee, not current law. Some cities have local enforcement-priority policies, but those policies do not legalize statewide conduct or commercial sale.
What local policy means
California has documented municipal actions in Oakland, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Those actions affect local priorities only; they do not create statewide legalization, licensed retail, or medical suitability.
2026 California psilocybin research update
California continues to be an active center for university-based psychedelic research. UCSF currently lists multiple psilocybin studies in progress, including studies of psilocybin and context, healthy older adults, older adults with low well-being, palliative care, chronic pain, and other research questions. Several studies are currently open to eligible participants.
Research activity does not itself change California law or create general public access, but it expands the state’s scientific evidence base around psilocybin. In September 2026, the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics also published an inside look at its clinical-trial work, describing ongoing basic research into how psychedelics affect the brain and mind.
Cities covered by the California guide
The statewide explanation above covers Lancaster, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz and Woodland Hills. A separate page appears below only where a documented municipal action adds material local context.
LancasterCovered in California guide
Los AngelesCovered in California guide
OaklandDocumented local policySacramentoCovered in California guide
San DiegoCovered in California guide
San FranciscoDocumented local policySan JoseCovered in California guide
Santa CruzDocumented local policyWoodland HillsCovered in California guide
Sources used for this review
This review prioritizes California statutes, enacted-law records, current bill history, and the Governor’s official veto record. National sources are secondary cross-checks.
- California Health and Safety Code § 11054: Schedule I substances ↗
- California Health and Safety Code § 11377: Unauthorized possession ↗
- California Legislature: AB 1103 controlled-substance research status ↗
- California Legislature: AB 2489 controlled-substance research history ↗
- California Governor: SB 58 veto message ↗
- UC Berkeley Psychedelic Law and Policy Map ↗
- Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association: Psilocybin Summary of State Laws ↗
- UCSF: Psilocybin clinical trials in California ↗
- UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics: Inside a Psychedelics Clinical Trial ↗
Common questions
Is psilocybin legal in California?
Psilocybin and psilocyn remain Schedule I controlled substances under California law, and unauthorized possession remains punishable under state law. California has not enacted statewide psilocybin decriminalization. California has no statewide licensed psilocybin service, medical-access, dispensary, or retail program.
Does California have a regulated psilocybin access program?
California has no statewide licensed psilocybin service, medical-access, dispensary, or retail program.
Do city policies change California law?
No. A local enforcement-priority policy may affect municipal enforcement, but it does not legalize commercial sale, create statewide legality, or override federal law.
Is psilocybin research active in California in 2026?
Yes. University of California researchers are conducting multiple psilocybin studies in 2026. UCSF lists studies examining topics including context and setting, healthy older adults, well-being, palliative care and chronic pain. Some studies are open to eligible participants. Research authorization is separate from general public access under California law.
Continue at the right depth
The product-site link provides product-format and business-policy information. It does not change the law described on this page or establish legal access in any jurisdiction.