The blue lotus flower (Nymphaea caerulea), known as the blue water lily and sacred blue lily, is a psychoactive plant that originated in Egypt. Today, it grows predominantly in Africa and Asia. Ancient cultures harnessed blue lotus as a traditional medicine for thousands of years, using it as a sleep aid, anxiety reliever, and natural aphrodisiac. They also tapped into its mind-altering powers as a spiritual tool in religious ceremonies and rituals.
Due to its psychoactive properties, many wonder: Is blue lotus legal?
This article investigates the legality of blue lotus in the U.S., including state and federal laws. It also uncovers the active ingredients and effects of this psychoactive plant.
How is Blue Lotus Legal?
Blue lotus is known as an entheogenic compound, a term similar to “hallucinogenic” and “psychedelic” when referring to a substance that alters consciousness and manifests spiritual insights. Consuming blue lotus at high doses can make people feel “high” and result in a gentle euphoria, similar to cannabis for some people.
So, how is blue lotus legal? It comes down to state and federal regulations regarding the plant’s active ingredients.
Blue Lotus Active Ingredients
Blue Lotus does not contain banned compounds like LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin mushrooms (aka “magic” mushrooms). These drugs appear on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)’s list of controlled substances.
Instead, blue lotus contains the psychoactive compounds apomorphine and nuciferine, which the DEA does not outlaw.
- Apomorphine is a psychoactive compound that acts as a dopamine agonist (activator), the body’s natural “feel good” chemical that makes people feel happy. Apomorphine is legal by prescription. For example, people use it to help with muscle control in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Nuciferine is an aporphine alkaloid thought to act as an antipsychotic drug that has calming effects. Research shows it has therapeutic potential, including helping with obesity, preventing diabetes and cancer, and reducing inflammation.
Because the DEA does not currently list blue lotus or its active ingredients as controlled substances, consumers can legally purchase blue lotus products in the U.S., including dried plant material, teas, vapes, and extracts for use in electronic cigarettes.
Blue lotus is also legal in most countries except Poland, Russia, and Latvia.
Is There a Legal Limit for Blue Lotus?
The FDA does not regulate blue lotus for human consumption in the United States. So, there is no legal limit for blue lotus potency, and products of all forms are permitted to buy. Brands sell blue lotus products as “herbal” or “natural dietary supplements” in varying quantities.
Similar to cannabis, most people say lower blue lotus doses are better for gentle euphoria and relaxation. Higher doses will result in more intense psychoactive effects. Many note blue lotus is safe and effective in moderate doses. Most brands sell blue lotus in doses of three to five grams, which people typically infuse in water to make teas and infusions.
Is smoking blue lotus legal?
Smoking and vaping blue lotus is legal and can produce the most noticeable effects for those looking to tap into an altered mental state from blue lotus. (Check out our “How Long Does Blue Lotus Stay in Your System?” guide for detailed information about its longevity).
However, some have issued warnings about vaping excessive and high doses of blue lotus in e-cigarettes due to potential adverse side effects, including chest pain, flailing limbs, and confusion.
Blue Lotus Legal States
Blue lotus is legal federally in the United States, which means the plant is legal to cultivate, sell, and purchase. However, individual states can ban substances if they see fit.
So, is blue lotus legal everywhere in the country?
Currently, few places have restrictions on blue lotus or have introduced bans on the plant. Louisiana is the only state to ban blue lotus under a law prohibiting all psychoactive plants and substances. The Defense Department also banned blue lotus for military personnel under the Army Substance Abuse Program.
Here is the list of states where blue lotus products are unregulated and, therefore, legal.
Alabama
The blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Alabama, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Alaska
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Alaska, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Arizona
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Arizona, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Arkansas
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Arkansas, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
California
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in California, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Colorado
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Colorado, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Connecticut
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Connecticut, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Delaware
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Delaware, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Florida
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Florida, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Georgia
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Georgia, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Hawaii
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Hawaii, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Idaho
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Idaho, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Illinois
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Illinois, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Indiana
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Indiana, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Iowa
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Iowa, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Kansas
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Kansas, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Kentucky
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Kentucky, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Maine
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Maine, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Maryland
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Maryland, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Massachusetts
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Massachusetts, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Michigan
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Michigan, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Minnesota
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Minnesota, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Mississippi
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Mississippi, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Missouri
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Missouri, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Montana
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Montana, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Nebraska
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Nebraska, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Nevada
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Nevada, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
New Hampshire
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in New Hampshire, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
New Jersey
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in New Jersey, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
New Mexico
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in New Mexico, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
New York
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in New York, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
North Carolina
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in North Carolina, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
North Dakota
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in North Dakota, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Ohio
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Ohio, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Oklahoma
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Oklahoma, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Oregon
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Oregon, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Pennsylvania
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Pennsylvania, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Rhode Island
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Rhode Island, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
South Carolina
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
South Dakota
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in South Dakota, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Tennessee
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Tennessee, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Texas
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Texas, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Utah
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Utah, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Vermont
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Vermont, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Virginia
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Virginia, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Washington
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Washington, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
West Virginia
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in West Virginia, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Wisconsin
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Wisconsin, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Wyoming
Blue lotus flower is legal in any product form in Wyoming, with no limits on concentration or dosage, and brands can sell it online and in stores.
Where is Blue Lotus Illegal?
Blue lotus is legal in most of the United States due to a lack of regulatory language surrounding the plant and its active compounds. However, there is one state with a law encompassing blue lotus. Also, the military issued bans on blue lotus, which apply wherever army and defense personnel work throughout the country.
Louisiana
Louisiana has a law that bans all psychoactive plant substances, including Nymphaea caerulea (the scientific name for blue lotus), making it the only state to ban the flower. All blue lotus products, including vapes, teas, and other supplements containing any amount of blue lotus, are illegal to sell online or in stores.
Military personnel
The Defense Department warned about using blue lotus and added the plant to its DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients list, prohibiting its use by service members and other defense personnel. The Army Substance Abuse Program also prohibits blue lotus use under Army Regulation (AR) 600-85, para 4-2, I, (1), and (9). Service members who violate the “Failure to Obey a Lawful Order or Regulation” policy can face disciplinary action.
Conclusion
Blue lotus is federally legal, and 49 states permit its sale and use. Only Louisiana has a law on the books that prohibits all psychoactive plants and substances, including blue lotus. For those living in most of the U.S., blue lotus can be purchased online and in specialty holistic wellness stores and vape shops. The plant offers a dreamy, euphoric high, and its soothing effects have therapeutic potential to help with sleep and anxiety. For those looking for a natural product source to enhance overall well-being, blue lotus is a legal alternative in most places.
Elena Schmidt 
Writer
Elena Schmidt is a writer, entrepreneur, and yoga teacher in Austin, Texas. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Miami and spent nearly a decade in editorial and content management for the health and beauty sectors. Today, Elena runs a boutique content marketing agency targeted towards brands that matter. Elena has found her passion supporting industries like plant medicine, cannabis, psychedelics, and wellness. She has written countless articles on these subjects and is passionate about spreading the word to those who need it most.