Is 4-AcO-DMT legal in Samoa?

Also known as: psilacetin

Legal status

Controlled as a Class A narcotic under the Narcotics Act 1967 (official version as at 31 December 2023) through First Schedule clause C. First Schedule item 33 names "PSILOCINE (3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-4-hydroxyindole)" as a Class A narcotic, and clause C extends that entry to the esters and ethers of the substances it describes, whenever such esters or ethers are possible. 4-AcO-DMT (4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, also called psilacetin) is the acetate ester formed at psilocine's 4-hydroxyl group, the same phenolic oxygen that item 35, "PSILOCYBINE (3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) indol-4-yl dihydrogen phosphate)", esterifies with phosphoric acid instead of acetic acid. Clause C's own wording covers this kind of ester directly. No order adding 4-AcO-DMT by its own name, and no later consolidation of the Act, through 7 October 2026, was located, so this finding rests on reading clause C as printed in the version read.

Consequences if caught

Section 18 makes dealing in, possessing, supplying or using a Class A narcotic punishable by imprisonment for life; sections 17 and 18A carry the same life maximum for unlicensed import, export or manufacture. The section 18 proviso (a fine not exceeding 5 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or both) applies only where the contravention was not wilful or was a procedural breach.

If prescribed or medical

No medical or prescription use of 4-AcO-DMT is documented. Section 7(2)(c) exempts a narcotic supplied by, or on the prescription of, a Chief Executive Officer licensee authorised to supply or prescribe narcotics; no such licence or authorisation naming 4-AcO-DMT or psilocine's esters was located.

Documentation

Import or export of a Schedule narcotic requires a Chief Executive Officer licence under sections 10 and 11; no personal-import or traveller exemption for a Class A narcotic was located in the text read.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Samoa’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.