Medicine:Legal status of methamphetamine

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Short description: Methamphetamine is restricted or illegal in many jurisdictions.

The production, distribution, and sale of methamphetamine is restricted or illegal in many jurisdictions.

Legal status by country

Country Possession Sale Transport Production Notes
 Australia
(Methamphetamine use in Australia)		 Section 8, Controlled Section 8, Controlled Section 8, Controlled Legal It is now legal under certain circumstances. i.e. Manufacture, transport, sale, and use are restricted and only legal in governed control. (since 2015, misunderstood references).[1][2] A schedule 8 controlled substance is one which should be available for use but requires restriction of manufacture, supply, distribution, possession and use to reduce abuse, misuse and physical or psychological dependence.[2]
 Brazil Forbidden, but not a cause for arrest Illegal Illegal Illegal While it's not illegal to possess methamphetamine, it is not prescribed as a drug in Brazil. Sale can result in up to 15 years prison.[3]
 Canada Illegal, Exemption in British Columbia where 2.5 grams is decriminalized due to Health Canada mandate Illegal Illegal Illegal Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in Canada. As of 2005, methamphetamine has been moved to Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which provides access to the highest maximum penalties. The maximum penalty for production and distribution of methamphetamine has increased from 10 years to life in prison.[4] Effective January 31, 2023, possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine is decriminalized in the Province of British Columbia due to Health Canada mandate[5]
 Czech Republic Illegal, but not criminal for small amounts. Illegal Illegal Illegal In the Czech Republic the law prohibits possession of amount of a drug, which is "larger than small". The Government mandates which amount is regarded as "larger than small". Nowadays possession of up to 2 grams of Methamphetamine is considered to be a misdemeanour rather than a crime and such possession can be fined up to 15,000 CZK (approximately $800).[6] However, production and distribution is illegal. In 2009 police raided 340 Methamphetamine laboratories in the Czech Republic, which is the most among EU countries.[7] Government changed policy of sale of legal drugs, which contain substances needed for meth production - the buyer must have a medical prescription, must identify themself by ID card and can obtain only a small quantity. Due to this Czech meth producers are buying drugs with Pseudoephedrine in Poland, where there are no such restrictions.[8]

The Czech penal code penalizes possession (of more than 2 grams) by 1 – 8 years of imprisonment (penalty is differentiated by the amount of drug); production and distribution by up to 5 years, or up to 10 years (if conducted as a member of organized group, in large scale, against a child, or if it led to a large profit). Penal code also punishes spoofing or propagation of drugs (up to 5 years of imprisonment by different circumstances, up to 8 if against a child).

 Denmark Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession, sale, trafficking and production of methamphetamine is illegal in Denmark.[9]
 Hong Kong Legal Medically and Scientifically Legal Medically and Scientifically Legal Medically and Scientifically Legal Medically and Scientifically Methamphetamine is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.[10] It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be punished with 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 (HKD).[11] The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a $5,000,000 (HKD) fine and life imprisonment.[12] Possession or use of the substance without license from the Department of Health is liable to a $1,000,000 (HKD) fine and/or 7 years of imprisonment.[13]
 Ireland Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Methamphetamine, along with other narcotics such as ketamine and ecstasy, were decriminalised for a day on 10 March 2015, due to the law enforcing their illegality being declared unconstitutional.[14]
 Italy Legal (Personal Use) Legal Scientifically Legal Scientifically Legal Scientifically Methamphetamine is not approved for medical use in Italy, except for an extremely small number of case-approved, strictly controlled experimental therapies, and it is listed in the Tabella 1 ("Schedule One") of the Psychotropic Substances List of the Italian Ministry of Health.[15] Production, traffic and/or sale of methamphetamine can be punished with a sentence of imprisonment ranging from six to twenty years, and with a fine ranging from 26,000 to 260,000 Euros, according to the severity of the felony. As for any other drugs, the consumption of methamphetamine and the possession of the substance for "personal use" (under a certain quantity) is not illegal in Italy,[16] although law enforcement and health authorities keep files on known users and addicts, who are often forced to undergo treatment. However, methamphetamine is not a particularly common or popular substance in Italy, surpassed by cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy, even if its popularity is growing.
 Japan Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Methamphetamine is considered a "prohibited stimulant" and possession is grounds for immediate arrest.[17] Methamphetamine accounts for 84% of illegal drug use in Japan and has a relatively high street value in the country (around 10 times the street value in production regions).[18]
 New Zealand Illegal (Never Prescribed) Illegal (Never Prescribed) Illegal (Never Prescribed) Illegal (Never Prescribed) Methamphetamine is a Class "A" or Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.[19] The maximum penalty for production and distribution is imprisonment for life. While in theory a doctor could prescribe it for an appropriate indication, this would require case-by-case approval by the director-general of public health. High purity methamphetamine is most commonly referred to by the uniquely New Zealand street name of P, for "pure".[20]
 Norway Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession, sale, trafficking and production of methamphetamine is illegal in Norway.[21]
 Palau Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession, sale and trafficking of methamphetamine is illegal in Palau.[22]
 Israel Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession, sale and trafficking of methamphetamine is illegal in Israel bases on Local Israeli authoritative laws. 15181/13 CORDROGUE 106 Regional Report on the Near East 1.[23]
 Philippines Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 the sale, transport, possession and transport of methamphetamine, commonly known as "shabu", "meth" or "ice" in the country, is illegal. The law states that possession is punishable by life imprisonment to death penalty (although death penalty has been abolished in the country) and a fine ranging from 500 thousand to 10 million pesos.[24]
 Portugal Decriminalized up to 1 gram Illegal Illegal Illegal See further info about the Drug policy of Portugal. Methamphetamine is Illegal, but possession of small amounts are decriminalized.[25]
 Singapore Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Singapore, methamphetamine is a Class A — Schedule I controlled drug.[26] Under the Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, any person who carries 250 or more grammes of the drug shall be presumed to possess them for the purpose of drug trafficking,[27] which is punishable by death. Unless authorized by the government, the possession, consumption, manufacturing, import, export, or trafficking of methamphetamine in any amount are illegal.
 South Africa Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Commonly known as Crystal Meth In South Africa, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule 7 drug,[28] and is listed as Undesirable Dependence-Producing Substances in Part III of Schedule 2 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992.[29][30]
 Sweden Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession, sale, trafficking and production of methamphetamine is illegal in Sweden.[31]
 United Kingdom Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal As of 18 January 2007,[32] methamphetamine is classified as a Class A drug in the UK under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 following a recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in June 2006.[33] It had previously been classified as a Class B drug, except when prepared for injection.

According to a 2013 BBC News article, the United Kingdom does not have a significant problem with methamphetamine where it is restricted mostly to the gay male sex party scene. The Home Office estimate that around 17,000 people used methamphetamine, compared to 27,000 people using heroin.[34]

 United States
(Methamphetamine in the United States)		 Illegal; unless prescribed at the federal level, medicinal enforcement varies by jurisdiction Illegal; unless prescribed at the federal level, medicinal enforcement varies by jurisdiction Illegal; unless prescribed at the federal level, medicinal enforcement varies by jurisdiction Illegal; unless prescribed at the federal level, medicinal enforcement varies by jurisdiction Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[35] It is available by prescription under the trade name Desoxyn, manufactured by Ovation Pharma. While there is technically no difference between the laws regarding methamphetamine and other controlled stimulants, most medical professionals are averse to prescribing it due to its notoriety.

In addition to federal laws, some states have placed additional restrictions on the sale of precursor chemicals commonly used to synthesize methamphetamine, particularly pseudoephedrine, a common over-the-counter decongestant. In 2005, the DEA seized 2,148.6 kg(4,736.8 lbs) of methamphetamine.[36] In 2005, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 was passed as part of the USA PATRIOT Act, putting restrictions on the sale of methamphetamine precursors. Various state governments have passed even more stringent laws to regulate the sale of pseudoephedrine decongestants. On November 7, 2006, the US Department of Justice declared that November 30, 2006 be Methamphetamine Awareness Day.[37] DEA El Paso Intelligence Center data is showing a distinct downward trend in the seizure of clandestine drug labs for the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine from a high of 18,091 in 2004. This trend has reversed as of 2008. Lab seizure data for the United States is available from EPIC beginning in 1999 when 7,438 labs were reported to have been seized during that calendar year. These figures include methamphetamine lab, "dumpsite" and "chemical and glassware" seizures.[38]

Country Possession Sale Transport Production Notes

Legality of similar chemicals

See ephedrine and pseudoephedrine for legal restrictions in place as a result of their use as precursors in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine.

References

  1. ↑ Sweetman, Sean (2009-03-16). Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference, 36th Edition. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 2158. ISBN 978-0-85369-840-1. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Poisons Standard July 2016
  3. ↑ "SP quer criminalizar metanfetamina; preocupação cresceu após apreensão em MS". 13 June 2011. http://www.amambainoticias.com.br/cidades/sp-quer-criminalizar-metanfetamina-preocupacao-cresceu-apos-apreensao-em-ms. 
  4. ↑ "Methamphetamine Report for Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice". Department of Justice. 2019-03-07. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/meth/p2.html. 
  5. ↑ "B.C. receives exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use: Health Canada". Health Canada. January 6, 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/05/bc-receives-exemption-to-decriminalize-possession-of-some-illegal-drugs-for-personal-use.html. 
  6. ↑ "Government ordination of 2009 about illegal substances". 2010-03-14. http://www.miroslavantl.cz/images/stories/vlad_nar_OPL_mnozstvi.pdf. 
  7. ↑ "Police found 340 meth labs in 2009 in the Czech Republic". 2010-03-14. http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/domov/zpravy/policie-loni-v-cesku-nasla-340-varen-pervitinu-nejvice-v-evrope/446104. 
  8. ↑ "Junkies found Pseudoephedrine elsewhere - in Poland". 2010-03-14. http://www.rozhlas.cz/radiozurnal/podkuzi/_zprava/662732. 
  9. ↑ "List of euphoriant substances subject to control in Denmark". laegemiddelstyrelsen.dk. 14 June 2018. https://laegemiddelstyrelsen.dk/en/licensing/company-authorisations-and-registrations/euphoriant-substances/lists-of-substances/. 
  10. ↑ "DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE - SCHEDULE 1". http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/sch1.html. 
  11. ↑ "DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE - SECT 5". http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/s5.html. 
  12. ↑ "DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE - SECT 4". http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/s4.html. 
  13. ↑ "DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE - SECT 8". http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/s8.html. 
  14. ↑ Hooton, Christopher (2015-03-10). "Ireland just accidentally legalised ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms". The Independent (London). https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-just-accidentally-legalised-ecstasy-ketamine-and-crystal-meth-10098612.html. 
  15. ↑ "TABELLA I" (in it). http://www.ministerosalute.it/imgs/C_17_FarmaciAree_7_listaFile_itemName_1_file.pdf. 
  16. ↑ http://www.altalex.com/index.php?idnot=33849 Testo Unico sulla Droga Italian drugs law
  17. ↑ "Import Q&A". http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/Import_Q&A_Forms.pdf. 
  18. ↑ "The Rise of Synthetic Drugs in Asia". 28 May 2014. http://www.nippon.com/en/genre/society/l00062/. 
  19. ↑ "Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 01 October 2008), Public Act". http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0116/latest/DLM436576.html. 
  20. ↑ Chamberlain, Simon (2005). "Glossary". Methamphetamine, ecstasy and BZP in New Zealand: An annotated bibliography. http://www.chamberlain.net.nz/research/glossary.php. 
  21. ↑ http://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-02-14-199 Norwegian drug laws
  22. ↑ "4 Filipinos nabbed in Palau for drug trafficking, possession". INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 1 January 2016. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/134399/4-filipinos-nabbed-in-palau-for-drug-trafficking-possession. 
  23. ↑ "4 Illegal for All". Private Email. Private Email. 17 December 2014. http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16959-2014-INIT/en/pdf. 
  24. ↑ "Republic Act No. 9165 - Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002". http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9165.html#.VoulC7Z97Gh. 
  25. ↑ "Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - TIME". TIME.com. 26 April 2009. http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html. 
  26. ↑ "First Schedule, Section 2, Controlled Drugs, PART I, Class A Drugs". Singapore Statutes Online. Attorney General's Chamber. http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?actno=2008-REVED-185&segid=1207125305-001556. 
  27. ↑ "Part III, Evidence, Enforcement and Punishment, Presumption concerning trafficking". Singapore Statutes Online. Attorney General's Chamber. http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?actno=2008-REVED-185&segid=1207125303-000331#1207125303-000370. 
  28. ↑ "Medicines and Related Substances Act: Schedules". Government Gazette. 2003-04-10. http://www.info.gov.za/regulations/2003/24727a/24727ad.pdf. 
  29. ↑ "Drug Awareness -- ATS". South African Police Service. http://www.saps.gov.za/drugs/ats.htm. 
  30. ↑ Kiley, Sam (2007-09-23). "Rare shellfish bartered for drugs". The Observer (London). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/23/china.southafrica. 
  31. ↑ "Drug laws in Sweden" (in sv-SE). lagen.nu. 8 March 1968. https://lagen.nu/1968:64. 
  32. ↑ Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment Order) SI 2006/3331
  33. ↑ Crystal meth to be class A drug, BBC News, 14 June 2006
  34. ↑ Walker, Duncan (6 August 2013). "Breaking Bad: Why doesn't the UK have a crystal meth problem?". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23453028. 
  35. ↑ List of psychotropic substances under international control . International Narcotics Control Board.
  36. ↑ Stats & Facts: 2006 Successes in the Fight Against Drugs
  37. ↑ DEA (2007-01-01). "Meth Awareness News Releases". http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/methawareness_news_releases.html. 
  38. ↑ DEA. "Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents". http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/map_lab_seizures.html. 



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