A STUDY ON THE REGULATORY STATUS OF PSYCHEDELICS IN KOREA AND THEIR ADMISSIBILITY AS THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

Abstract Background Korea has strict controls on narcotics. Nonetheless, as the impact of research on the therapeutic use of marijuana, psychedelics, etc. discussions on their medical use are beginning in Korea. Aims & Objects The author intends to consider the possibility and necessary steps for allowing the medical use of psychedelics through a comparison of major countries' medical narcotic designation principles and a historical review of the legalization of medical use of marijuana in Korea. Method Governance of regulatory agencies for narcotics in Korea was reviewed. Literature related to drug designation criteria in major countries was reviewed. Reviewed the legalization process for medical use of marijuana in South Korea Results Compared to major countries, Korea has the strictest drug designation standards. In particular, foreign regulatory cases are the main reference standard. This is similar to the process of determining approval for pharmaceuticals in the Korean Food and Drug Administration. It can be said that the conservative regulatory authority's stance that allows medical use only when all are certified in each country is reflected in the designation of narcotics for medical use. Governance for medical narcotics in Korea is under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's drug safety officer and Drug Safety Bureau. Each has an independent decision-making process. Distribution of medical narcotics, which are different from treatment purposes, is the main route of abuse/dependence. In Korea, there is a nationwide surveillance system (patient medication history confirmation system and big data-based surveillance system) for prescribed narcotics drugs, which is a protective factor for abuse/dependence. Through the historical review of the process of legalization and acceptance of medical use of marijuana, which has been designated as a narcotic, but is partially permitted for medical use, prospects for the acceptance process of medical use of psychedelics have been made. Discussion & Conclusion Regulatory practices and socio-political conservative tendencies regarding the acceptance of drugs for human use are barriers to the acceptance of psychedelics for medical use. For the relaxation of this regulation, permitting the medical use of hallucinogens in major countries is a prerequisite. However, a national monitoring system for medical narcotic drug use is an advantageous condition for persuading regulatory authorities for the clinical use of psychedelics as therapeutics.