The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (adopted in 1971) requires its parties to prohibit LSD. Hence, LSD is illegal in all parties to the convention. The convention came into force on August 16th 1976. Currently 175 nations are party to this treaty

In the US: LSD is a schedule I substance. It is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess or distribute LSD without a DEA License. LSD is deemed to be schedule I because it meets the following criteria: LSD is thought to have a high potential for abuse; LSD has no legitimate medical use in treatment; and there is a lack of accepted safety for LSD’s use under medical supervision. (LSD prohibition does not make an exception for religious use.) Lysergic acid and lysergic acid amide, LSD precursors, are both classified in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Ergotamine tartrate, a precursor to lysergic acid, is regulated under the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act.

In the UK: LSD is a Schedule I/Class A drug. It is illegal to buy, sell or possess LSD without a Home Office issued license.

In Canada: LSD is a Schedule III substance: Without authorization, it is illegal for anyone but the police to be in possession of LSD. Authorization is granted only to qualified laboratory and research personnel conducting approved clinical and experimental investigations. Possession of such a substance has a recommended sentence on indictment of 3 years. Trafficking: 10 years. Importation/Exportation: 10 years. Production: 10 years.

LSD is controlled and illegal to possess without a license in Russia. There have been news reports recently which hint at a possible change in the law.

Australia: The cultivation, manufacture, possession, use and supply of hallucinogens is illegal throughout Australia as is their importation. Drug laws in Australia distinguish between those who use/possess hallucinogens and those who produce/traffic.

New Zealand: LSD is a schedule I/Class A drug. As such it is deemed to be: “A drug which poses a very high risk of harm”.

Germany: In Germany, LSD was banned in 1967 according to the regulations of the opium law. Today, LSD is listed among the not marketable and not prescribable substances of the anaesthetic law, which means all contact and association with the drug is forbidden for the public.