Is Peyote legal in France?
- Legal status
- France controls BOTH the plant and the alkaloid: the peyote cactus ("Peyotl ou peyote", Lophophora williamsii) is classed as a stupéfiant in Annexe IV of the arrêté of 22 February 1990 (added 2004), covering its active principles "autres que la mescaline", while mescaline itself is separately classed as a stupéfiant under the Public Health Code.
- Consequences if caught
- Possession, cultivation or supply of the peyote cactus is a narcotics offence in its own right, independent of any mescaline extraction, which is separately penalised.
- If prescribed or medical
- Both the peyote plant and mescaline are stupéfiants without therapeutic authorisation and are not prescribable.
- Documentation
- Arrêté du 22 février 1990, Annexe IV: "Peyotl ou peyote, ses principes actifs et leurs composés naturels et synthétiques autres que la mescaline"; mescaline is listed elsewhere as a stupéfiant.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with France’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →