Many are currently searching for "1S-LSD ban." The fact is: There is no concrete effective date (yet). At the same time, a ban is within reach: The relevant expert committee at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) met on May 13, 2025; the next formal step is the Federal Council meeting on September 26, 2025, where a ban ordinance could be passed. Experience shows that whether the topic will actually be on the agenda only becomes clear around 10–14 days in advance.
Why 1S‑LSD is currently legal in Germany
Legally, everything revolves around the New Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG). It deals with groups of substances (not with individual substances as in the Narcotics Act) and prohibits, among other things, the manufacture, trade, import/export/transit, and distribution of such substances (Section 3 NpSG). Acts aimed at distributing them are particularly punishable (Section 4 NpSG). Crucially, 1S-LSD is not currently subject to any of the substance groups defined in the Annex to the NpSG—therefore, as of today, it is not covered by the NpSG. This is indirectly confirmed by the most recent Fifth Amendment, which came into force on June 27, 2024, which updated other groups (including synthetic cannabinoids/HHC variants, benzodiazepines, tryptamines) without including 1S-LSD.
Industry summaries also attribute the current legality to the fact that 1S-LSD does not fall within the existing substance group definitions structurally (including a trimethylsilyl side group). Although such websites are not official sources, this assessment is consistent with the content of the latest version of the NpSG annex.
Important: "Legal" here exclusively means: not (as of August 28, 2025) covered by the NpSG. This is not a statement regarding safety, laboratory applications, or anything else – and does not replace legal advice. The legal text (Sections 3–4 NpSG) applies to specific individual cases.
The roadmap: How a substance gets into the NpSG (and how long it takes)
The path to the NpSG facility is formally well-established and can be outlined as follows – also looking back at previous changes:
1. Early detection & impulse
New substances are identified, among other things, by law enforcement authorities and the EU Early Warning System (EMCDDA/EUDA).
2. Expert Committee (BfArM)
The Expert Committee pursuant to Section 7 of the NpSG advises on and recommends adjustments to the NpSG annex. The 60th meeting took place on May 13, 2025, marking the beginning of the regulatory process. Experience: Meets "as needed," usually at least twice a year.
3. BMG draft bill (regulation)
Based on the recommendation, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) prepares a draft bill amending the NpSG annex. This bill is then submitted for interministerial coordination (BMI, BMJ, BMF) and a consultation with associations. Experience: In recent rounds, depending on the urgency, the time between the draft bill and the Bundesrat (Federal Council) has ranged from a few weeks to approximately four months (e.g., extremely quickly in 2023; approximately three to four months in 2019/2020/2022).
4. Federal Council (approval)
Amendments to the NpSG Annex are statutory instruments and require the approval of the Bundesrat (Federal Council) (Article 80, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law). The next actual date is September 26, 2025. Please note: The Bundestag is not responsible for this; it only deals with laws, e.g., the amendment to the NpSG (nitrous oxide/GBL/BDO), which is currently being discussed separately. Whether 1S-LSD will actually be on the agenda on September 26 usually only becomes clear 10–14 days in advance.
5. Publication in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl.)
After approval by the Federal Council, the regulation is published in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) – usually entering into force the day after publication. Experience has shown that the time between the Federal Council's approval and entry into force has recently been approximately 2–3 weeks (2023: 13 days; 2022: just under 3 weeks; 2024: 13 days). Applying the September 26 deadline: realistically mid/late October 2025 (assuming approval is granted on September 26).
Compact overview (empirical values):
| Step | What happens | Typical duration* |
|---|---|---|
| BfArM Committee | Recommendation for subordination | – (date fixed) |
| Draft bill BMG → Federal Council | Departmental coordination & hearing | 2–16 weeks |
| Federal Council → Federal Law Gazette (entry into force) | consent, announcement | ~2–4 weeks |
* Based on 2019–2024 (including 2019/2020/2022/2023/2024).
“Is there already a draft bill specifically for 1S‑LSD?”
Yes. The Expert Committee at the BfArM discussed the topic at its 60th meeting on May 13, 2025; the corresponding agenda is publicly available.
On this basis, a draft bill amending the Annex to the NpSG has now been submitted. The explanatory memorandum to the draft states that Section 5.2(a) should be clarified and, among other things, supplemented with the reference "silicon" in order to clearly cover LSD isomers, including 1S-LSD. It states, among other things:
"1-S-LSD is a structural isomer of lysergic acid diethylamide. Its inclusion... is for reasons of safety and abuse prevention."
In addition, the explanatory memorandum to the draft refers to practical law enforcement and to the consistent implementation of the law's purpose—protecting the population from new psychoactive substances; furthermore, the provisions under number 5 correspond in content to the existing provisions.
Market update: Lizard Labs has closed – what does that mean?
The previously dominant manufacturer, Lizard Labs, has – according to consistent reports – closed permanently on December 31, 2024. Since then, only remaining stocks have been circulating; there has been no indication of a resumption of production by the same manufacturer. There are no reputable, independent press reports about the "relaunch"; on the contrary, dealers and community posts point to the closure. In short: there is no indication of a new manufacturer.
FAQ – the most important questions at a glance
Is 1S‑LSD legal as of today (August 28, 2025)?
Yes, in the narrower sense: 1S-LSD is not currently subject to the NpSG Annex; therefore, the NpSG prohibitions do not currently apply to this substance. The current version of the NpSG Annex always applies.
What is a realistic date for a ban?
The earliest possible decision would be the Federal Council meeting on September 26, 2025 – subject to the agenda. According to recent estimates, it took approximately 2–4 weeks for the amendment to come into force (publication in the Federal Law Gazette, "day after publication"). A realistic date would therefore be mid/late October 2025.
Does the Bundestag need this?
No. Placement in the NpSG annex is done by ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Health with the approval of the Federal Council – without a resolution of the Bundestag. The Bundestag is only responsible for laws (e.g., the current NpSG amendment on nitrous oxide/GBL/BDO).
What does the NpSG actually prohibit – and what is punishable?
The NpSG prohibits, among other things, the manufacture, trade, import/export/transit, acquisition, possession, and distribution (Section 3). Acts aimed at disseminating drugs (in particular, trade, placing on the market, and administration; also manufacturing/distributing drugs for the purpose of placing on the market) are punishable – regulated in Section 4. The text of the law applies for all details.
