Is Ayahuasca legal in Singapore?

Legal status

Singapore treats the ayahuasca brew as a Class A controlled drug and, unusually, names the plants directly: the Central Narcotics Bureau lists Banisteriopsis caapi ('Caapi / Ayahuasca / Yage') and Psychotria viridis ('Chacruna') among plants containing the controlled substance DMT, stating that plants and their derivatives containing controlled drugs are illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act; the preparation is thus caught exactly as DMT, with NO religious exemption.

Consequences if caught

Import, trafficking, possession or consumption of the ayahuasca brew is a Class A offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act; trafficking carries a minimum of 5 years' imprisonment and caning, with capital thresholds for large quantities.

If prescribed or medical

DMT and the ayahuasca brew have no medical or prescription status in Singapore; DMT is a prohibited Class A controlled drug.

Documentation

The CNB 'Plants that contain controlled drugs' listing expressly names ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) and chacruna (Psychotria viridis) as DMT-containing controlled plants; the tryptamine generic covering DMT was added to the First Schedule (Class A) in 2016.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Singapore’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.