Schedule I · possession unlawful
North Carolina lists psilocybin and psilocin in Schedule I. Unauthorized possession of a Schedule I substance is unlawful and is generally a Class I felony.
NC legal and access quick reference
Reviewed on September 30, 2026 by iMD teamPsilocybin law and access in North Carolina
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.
No enacted public access program
North Carolina has no enacted personal-use, retail, dispensary, or supervised-service program for psilocybin.
2026 research proposal · active UNC study
S1018, the HEAL Act, proposes a state-funded Breakthrough Therapies Research Grant Fund for in-state studies involving psychedelic medicines including psilocybin. Separately, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is sponsoring an active psilocybin-assisted therapy study for treatment-resistant depression. The legislation has not become law, and clinical research does not create general public access.
What local policy means
For Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh, this North Carolina page is the appropriate quick-reference starting point because no separate municipal action was retained as a distinct local-policy guide. Local rules can change, so verify current official records.
2026 North Carolina psilocybin policy and research update
North Carolina saw new psilocybin-related policy activity in 2026 through S1018, the HEAL Act. The proposal would create a $5 million Breakthrough Therapies Research Grant Fund for eligible research conducted by North Carolina academic or federal research institutions. The bill expressly includes psilocybin among the psychedelic drugs that could be studied and directs psilocybin research toward anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, or both. As of this review, S1018 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and has not become law.
North Carolina also has active university research. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is sponsoring a clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The study is listed as active on ClinicalTrials.gov and is designed to evaluate symptom improvement and the durability of treatment effects. This research activity is separate from general consumer access under state law.
Cities covered by the North Carolina guide
The statewide explanation above covers Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh. A separate page appears below only where a documented municipal action adds material local context.
Chapel HillCovered in North Carolina guide
CharlotteCovered in North Carolina guide
DurhamCovered in North Carolina guide
RaleighCovered in North Carolina guide
Sources used for this review
This page was checked against the controlling state statutes, enacted laws, agency records, and official bill histories listed below.
- North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 90 — §§90-89 and 90-95 ↗
- North Carolina General Assembly — S1018 HEAL Act status ↗
- S1018 HEAL Act — 2026 breakthrough-therapies research proposal ↗
- North Carolina General Assembly — S568 task-force proposal ↗
- ClinicalTrials.gov — UNC psilocybin-assisted therapy study for treatment-resistant depression ↗
Common questions
Is psilocybin legal in North Carolina?
No. Psilocybin and psilocin remain Schedule I substances, and unauthorized possession remains unlawful.
Does North Carolina have a regulated psilocybin access program?
No. Research-grant and task-force bills remain proposals. Neither creates current retail, dispensary, personal-use, or supervised-service access.
Is psilocybin research active in North Carolina in 2026?
Yes. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is sponsoring an active clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression. S1018, the HEAL Act, also proposes state funding for North Carolina research involving breakthrough therapies including psilocybin, although that bill has not become law.
Do city policies change North Carolina 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.
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.