Psychedelic Therapy in Washington, DC
Last reviewed: September 22, 2025
Psychedelic-assisted care in Washington, DC
Summary: DC has not legalized psilocybin services. Legal options today are medical ketamine and esketamine locally; for licensed psilocybin, most people travel to Oregon or Colorado. Underground or ceremonial options exist and carry legal risk. We provide education, safety guidance, and integration support—we do not broker illegal activity.
Washington, DC has not legalized psilocybin services. Initiative 81 (D.C. Law 23-268) directed police to treat certain entheogenic plants and fungi as the lowest enforcement priority. It does not authorize commercial sales or licensed clinics. Ketamine and esketamine remain medical options.
D.C. Law 23-268 (Initiative 81) · MPD Executive Order 21-008 · SPRAVATO REMS · Oregon: How access works · Colorado Natural Medicine
How people access care
- Legal in Washington, DC: ketamine in medical settings and esketamine in REMS-certified programs (most mental-health ketamine uses are off-label). SPRAVATO REMS
- Legal out of state: licensed psilocybin services in Oregon and regulated options in Colorado. Oregon OHA · Colorado DPO — see our guides: Oregon · Colorado
- Underground or ceremonial options exist and carry legal risk. We do not broker illegal activity. Our concierge supports education, safety, and integration.
Not sure which path fits you?
Our concierge team helps you compare legal routes, understand rules in plain language, and choose a path that matches your needs, values, and safety profile.
Your access options
| Pathway | What it looks like | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ketamine or Esketamine (in Washington, DC) | Medical screening, supervised sessions, integration support recommended. | Esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved for TRD in REMS-certified sites; most mental-health ketamine uses are off-label. Official REMS |
| Psilocybin services (Oregon) | Licensed service centers with required preparation, administration, and integration. | How access works (OHA) · our Oregon guide |
| Natural Medicine services (Colorado) | Licensed Healing Centers and facilitators under state rules. | Program info · our Colorado guide |
| MDMA-assisted therapy | Not FDA-approved as of September 2025; access primarily via clinical trials. | FDA CRL publicly released |
| Underground or ceremonial | Community or private settings; safety practices vary. | We do not sell or supply substances, instruct on obtaining them, or broker illegal activity. Our concierge provides education, vetting criteria, and integration support. |
The psychedelic landscape in Washington, DC (cultural and legal overview)
Local policy
Washington, DC voters approved the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act (Initiative 81), codified as D.C. Law 23-268. The law directs police to treat certain non-commercial activities involving entheogenic plants and fungi as among the lowest enforcement priorities. The Metropolitan Police Department later issued Executive Order 21-008 to clarify how this policy is applied in practice.
What Initiative 81 does — and does not — do
- Does: instruct local police to deprioritize enforcement for adult, personal, non-commercial activities with specified natural entheogens.
- Does not: legalize or license psilocybin services; authorize commercial sales; protect activity on federal property; or change federal law.
- DC nuance: Many District areas are federal (e.g., National Mall, parks, federal buildings, parts of Metro). Initiative 81 does not apply there; federal law may be enforced.
Care today in the District
People in DC most often access care via: (1) medical ketamine/esketamine programs with screening and monitoring; (2) traveling to licensed psilocybin services in Oregon or regulated options in Colorado; or (3) underground or ceremonial settings, which carry legal risk and vary in safety practices. We do not sell or supply substances, instruct on obtaining them, or broker illegal activity. Our role is to help you compare options, understand legal context, review safety with your clinicians, and plan thorough preparation and integration.
References: D.C. Law 23-268 · MPD Executive Order 21-008 · SPRAVATO REMS · Oregon psilocybin access · Colorado Healing Centers
Costs and logistics
Ketamine and esketamine, total cost depends on assessment, number of sessions, supervision, and integration. Esketamine occurs only in REMS-certified sites. Coverage varies by plan.
Psilocybin services in Oregon or Colorado, licensed centers set session pricing plus preparation and integration. Add travel and lodging. Verify licensing before you book.
Ask about HSA or FSA eligibility where applicable. Policies vary.
Considering underground or ceremonial settings
Underground and ceremonial options are part of today’s landscape. Laws vary by location, and safety practices differ widely. We do not broker, arrange, or endorse illegal activity. What we do provide is a clear and ethical path to decision making.
- Clarity, compare options side by side, including legal routes
- Safety, medication and history review to discuss with your clinician
- Vetting, facilitator criteria, ethics standards, scope of practice, and boundaries
- Preparation and integration, a plan so you are not doing this alone
Safety and screening
- Share all medications, especially SSRIs, MAOIs, stimulants, and blood-pressure drugs
- Review cardiac history, seizure risk, bipolar spectrum, psychosis risk, pregnancy, and sleep apnea
- Confirm monitoring, chaperone policies, and emergency planning
- If considering at-home or compounded ketamine, discuss supervision and current FDA alerts with your prescriber
What we do
- Education, safety screening guidance, and integration support
- Compare legal options and verify licensed programs
- Share the vetting questions we ask any facilitator (See our facilitator vetting checklist)
What we do not do
- Sell, supply, or store controlled substances
- Instruct on obtaining substances or connect to distributors
- Provide medical or legal advice
The Psychedelic Landscape in Washington, DC (Cultural & Legal Overview)
Local policy
Washington, DC voters approved the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act (Initiative 81), codified as D.C. Law 23-268. The law directs police to treat certain non-commercial activities involving entheogenic plants and fungi as among the lowest enforcement priorities. The Metropolitan Police Department later issued Executive Order 21-008 to clarify how this policy is applied in practice.
What Initiative 81 does — and does not — do
- Does: instruct local police to deprioritize enforcement for adult, personal, non-commercial activities with specified natural entheogens.
- Does not: legalize or license psilocybin services; authorize commercial sales; protect activity on federal property; or change federal law.
- DC nuance: Many District areas are federal (e.g., National Mall, parks, federal buildings, parts of Metro). Initiative 81 does not apply there; federal law may be enforced.
Care today in the District
People in DC most often access care via: (1) medical ketamine/esketamine programs with screening and monitoring; (2) traveling to licensed psilocybin services in Oregon or regulated options in Colorado; or (3) underground or ceremonial settings, which carry legal risk and vary in safety practices. We do not sell or supply substances, instruct on obtaining them, or broker illegal activity. Our role is to help you compare options, understand legal context, review safety with your clinicians, and plan thorough preparation and integration.
References: D.C. Law 23-268 · MPD Executive Order 21-008 · SPRAVATO REMS · Oregon psilocybin access · Colorado Healing Centers
Download Our Guide on MDMA in Washington, DC
Curious about the future of MDMA therapy in DC? Our free guide walks you through clinical trials, legal status, and upcoming FDA approval timelines—plus how JourneyŌM is preparing to support access when the law allows.
Washington, DC Psychedelic Therapy FAQs
Is psilocybin therapy legal in DC?
Short answer: No—DC has not legalized psilocybin services or commercial sales.
Initiative 81 makes certain entheogens a lowest enforcement priority. It does not create licensed clinics. For licensed services, people typically travel to Oregon or regulated options in Colorado. D.C. Law 23-268 · MPD EO 21-008
What legal options exist in DC today?
Short answer: Medical ketamine locally and esketamine in REMS-certified programs.
Ketamine is used off-label for mental-health conditions; esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved for TRD and must be administered on-site at REMS-certified locations with monitoring. SPRAVATO REMS
Can I travel for licensed psilocybin services?
Short answer: Yes—Oregon has licensed centers; Colorado regulates Natural Medicine services.
Oregon requires prep, administration at a licensed center, and integration; non-residents are eligible. Colorado licenses Healing Centers and facilitators; always verify status on state sites. Oregon access · Colorado DPO · our Oregon guide · our Colorado guide
Is MDMA-assisted therapy available?
Short answer: Not FDA-approved as of September 2025; access is mainly through clinical trials.
The FDA declined approval in 2024 and publicly released the CRL in 2025, so MDMA-assisted therapy is not an approved treatment at this time. Consider eligibility, time, and risks if exploring trials. FDA CRL made public
How much does psychedelic-assisted care cost in DC?
Short answer: It varies by pathway, session number, and clinical support.
Off-label ketamine is often self-pay; esketamine occurs in REMS-certified sites and may be covered depending on your plan. Licensed psilocybin services in Oregon/Colorado are paid to the center and include preparation and integration; travel and lodging are additional.
Can your concierge help if I’m considering a ceremony?
Short answer: Yes—education, safety, and integration support; we do not broker illegal activity.
Underground/ceremonial settings exist, but laws and safety practices vary. We provide objective education, a vetted question set for evaluating facilitators, and a preparation/integration plan; we do not sell or supply substances or instruct on obtaining them.
What should I ask a facilitator or clinic before booking?
Short answer: Training, screening, supervision, ethics, and integration.
Ask about credentials/scope; medical & psychological screening; supervision; boundaries/consent; chaperones; emergency plans; integration; total cost; and what’s included. In regulated settings, verify license on state sites; in community settings, request references and discuss consent and safety in detail. Download the facilitator-questions checklist
Next steps
Need help choosing? Our concierge can walk you through legal options in your area.