 This resolution was signed by hundreds of scientists that attended the World Psychedelic Forum in Basel, early 2008: They are of the opinion that the current prohibition and criminalisation policy, expressed in particular in the
Convention of Psychotropic Substances of February 21, 1971 (Art. 7 et seq. and Schedule I) and the UN
Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of December 20, 1988,
- considerably impedes scientific research on hallucinogenic substances,
- pushes the therapeutic use of such substances into illegality,
- renders a quality control of products sold on already existing markets impossible,
- criminalises in particular responsible, also low risk use of such substances.
Rather, the speakers of the World Psychedelic Forum are convinced,
- that the current equation of hallucinogenic substances (like LSD, Mescaline, Psilocybin)
with Heroin and Cocaine does not reflect the true risks involved in their use nor their societal
significance,
- that there is no evidence that hallucinogenic substances create dependency,
- that by far, most of the users are able to control the risks involved in their use,
- that prohibition and criminalisation are not able to suppress consumption.
The speakers of the World Psychedelic Forum maintain that the human right to self determination of the
grown-up and responsible citizen should allow him or her to be the sole judge of what he or she regards as
dangerous or unreasonable.
Regulation should be limited to situations where juveniles or handicapped are in need of support or where
third parties are put at risk. Administrative regulation is sufficient to address such unwanted risk.
Administrative sanctions should be limited to a minimum.
In the spirit of an open and liberal society the speakers of the World Psychedelic Forum appeal to legislators
and policy bodies worldwide to reconsider the current simplistic and harmful attitude to hallucinogenic
substances. "
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