PMMA

PMMA is federally controlled in Schedule I under 21 C.F.R. § 1308.11(d)(88), effective July 26, 2021. The provision lists 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, also called para-methoxymethamphetamine or PMMA, under DEA controlled-substance code 1245. The listing covers any quantity in a material, compound, mixture, or preparation, including salts, isomers, and salts of isomers when those forms are possible within the chemical designation. Schedule I controls apply to possession and to persons who manufacture, distribute, import, export, conduct research or instructional activities, perform chemical analysis, or propose to handle PMMA.

PMMA has been expressly listed in Anhang V.2 of the Suchtgiftverordnung since 27 March 2004 and is treated as equivalent to the narcotic drugs in Anhang V.1 under § 2(3) of the Suchtmittelgesetz. Unauthorized acquisition, possession, production, transport, import, export, offering, transfer, or provision is prohibited and, under § 27(1), is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. When the offence is committed exclusively for personal use, § 27(2) provides a reduced maximum of six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. Anhang V.2 also covers the listed substances' isomers, esters, ethers, molecular compounds, salts, and preparations, except preparations used exclusively for diagnostic or analytical purposes without application to a human or animal body and containing no more than 0.001 percent of each controlled substance.

PMMA, also named para-metoximetanfetamina and [1-(4-metoxifenil)propano-2-il](metil)azano, has been expressly listed in Lista F2 of Portaria SVS/MS nº 344 since 29 June 2016. Lista F covers substances proscribed for use in Brazil: production, manufacture, import, export, commerce, and use are prohibited. Article 4 excepts activities conducted by authorized bodies and institutions strictly for medical and scientific research. Article 4-A also permits establishments duly authorized by Anvisa to maintain stocks of controlled-substance analytical standards, proportionate to their routine, for distribution to establishments conducting laboratory analysis and teaching or research activities. Under Article 28 of Lei nº 11.343/2006, unauthorized acquisition, keeping, storage, transport, or carrying for personal consumption is subject to a warning, community service, or an educational program or course rather than an imprisonment term. Unauthorized conduct covered by Article 33, including production, manufacture, acquisition, sale, offering, storage, transport, import, export, delivery, and supply, is punishable by five to fifteen years' imprisonment and 500 to 1,500 day-fines.

PMMA is listed in Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz as Methoxymetamfetamin (PMMA), chemically [1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl](methyl)azan, and has been controlled there since 10 October 2000; Anlage I substances are classified as non-marketable narcotic drugs. Under §§ 3 and 4 BtMG, manufacture, trade, import, export, supply, sale, other placement on the market, and acquisition generally require federal authorization, which for an Anlage I substance may be granted only exceptionally for scientific or other public-interest purposes. Applicable § 4 exceptions include a pharmacy receiving an Anlage I substance for examination, forwarding to an authorized examining body, or destruction; acquisition by a participant or patient in a clinical trial or hardship program; and official activity by federal or state authorities, or by authorities they commission to examine narcotics. Under § 29(1) BtMG, unauthorized manufacture, trade, import, export, sale, supply, acquisition or other procurement, and possession without written acquisition authorization are punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine; under § 29(5), a court may refrain from punishment in a personal-use case involving a small quantity.

PMMA is expressly listed as Paramethoxymethamphetamin (PMMA) in Verzeichnis d of the Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung and has been controlled there since 1 July 2011. Under Article 3(2)(d) of the Betäubungsmittelkontrollverordnung, Verzeichnis d comprises prohibited controlled substances, although Article 8 permits the Federal Office of Public Health to issue exceptional authorizations for handling them. Under Article 19(1) of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz, unauthorized cultivation, production, storage, shipping, transport, import, export, transit, sale, prescribing, supply, placing on the market, possession, or acquisition is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a monetary penalty; Article 19a(1), however, makes Article 19 conduct committed for personal consumption punishable only by a fine. In minor cases, Article 19a(2) permits dismissal of proceedings or waiver of punishment, while Article 19b(1), as applied by the Federal Supreme Court, makes acquisition or possession of a minor quantity solely in preparation for personal consumption not punishable. The schedules also cover salts, esters, ethers, carbamates, stereoisomers, corresponding derivatives of stereoisomers, and preparations containing them, subject to any stated exemption.

PMMA, as N-methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane, falls within the generic phenethylamine provision in Schedule 2 Part I paragraph 1(c) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and has been controlled as a Class A drug since 20 September 1977. The Act controls possession, possession with intent to supply, production, supply, offers to supply, import and export, subject to applicable regulations, licences, exceptions and statutory defences. Corresponding generic provisions place PMMA in Schedule 1 paragraph 1(d) of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 in England, Wales and Scotland, and Schedule 1 paragraph 1(d) of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 in Northern Ireland.