MDMA is legally controlled in most of the world under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and other international agreements, mdma wikipedia although exceptions exist for research and limited medical use.
- Although MDMA was not named explicitly in this legislation, the order extended the definition of Class A drugs to include various ring-substituted phenethylamines.315316 The drug is therefore illegal to sell, buy, or possess without a licence in the UK.
- In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses.
- MDMA is legally controlled in most of the world under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and other international agreements, although exceptions exist for research and limited medical use.
- MDA constitutes part of the core structure of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist protokylol.
Rising recreational use
- In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses.
- Penalties include a maximum of seven years and/or unlimited fine for possession; life and/or unlimited fine for production or trafficking.
- MDA has a long history of psychotherapeutic and recreational use that predates that of MDMA, dating back to at least the mid-1960s.364 It has been described as the first entactogen.2 MDA has also been described as probably the most popular analogue of MDMA.6 In most countries, the drug is a controlled substance and its possession and sale are illegal.
- In the United Kingdom, MDMA was made illegal in 1977 by a modification order to the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses. For the treatment of PTSD, MDMA can only be prescribed by psychiatrists with specific training and authorisation.300In 1986, MDMA was declared an illegal substance because of its allegedly harmful effects and potential for misuse.301 Any non-authorised sale, use or manufacture is strictly prohibited by law. Permits for research uses on humans must be approved by a recognized ethics committee on human research. MDA has a long history of psychotherapeutic and recreational use that predates that of MDMA, dating back to at least the mid-1960s.364 It has been described as the first entactogen.2 MDA has also been described as probably the most popular analogue of MDMA.6 In most countries, the drug is a controlled substance and its possession and sale are illegal. MDA constitutes part of the core structure of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist protokylol.
Use and effects
In the United Kingdom, MDMA was made illegal in 1977 by a modification order to the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Although MDMA was not named explicitly in this legislation, the order extended the definition of Class A drugs to include various ring-substituted phenethylamines.315316 The drug is therefore illegal to sell, buy, or possess without a licence in the UK. Penalties include a maximum of seven years and/or unlimited fine for possession; life and/or unlimited fine for production or trafficking. Analogues of MDA include its positional isomer 2,3-methylenedioxyamphetamine (2,3-MDA) and others.