Is 4-AcO-DMT legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- 4-AcO-DMT (O-acetylpsilocin) is a Class A controlled drug in the United Kingdom, caught as an ester of psilocin. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Schedule 2 Part I lists psilocin (paragraph 1) and paragraph 3 controls 'any ester or ether' of the listed Class A drugs, so O-acetylpsilocin falls in automatically without being named. It is additionally a prohibited 'psychoactive substance' under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- Consequences if caught
- Class A penalties apply: possession up to 7 years plus an unlimited fine; production, supply or importation up to life imprisonment. The PSA 2016 separately criminalises production, supply and import (up to 7 years) but not simple possession.
- If prescribed or medical
- No medical use; psilocin-class tryptamines sit in MDA Schedule 1, handled only under a Home Office licence for research. 4-AcO-DMT is not prescribable.
- Documentation
- MDA 1971 Sch 2 Part I — psilocin (para 1) plus the esters/ethers clause (para 3); reinforced by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 blanket ban.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
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