Is Lorazepam legal in Germany?

Also known as: ativan

Legal status

Lorazepam is a named narcotic in the prescribable tier of the German schedules. The dossier records the Anlage III row of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz as „Lorazepam | - | (RS)-7-Chlor-5-(2-chlorphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-on“. Two features of the third column are doing identifying work: the second chlorine, on the phenyl ring, and the hydroxy group at position three, which is the metabolic feature that distinguishes this medicine from the benzodiazepines listed around it. The entry is drawn at the racemate. Placement is under BtMG § 1 Abs. 1 and the tier is Anlage III, the marketable and prescribable one, so the substance is controlled through its supply route rather than prohibited.

Consequences if caught

Capital exposure: none. The dossier's penalty column records that no death-penalty regime applies. The provisions named are BtMG §§ 29 bis 30a and the dossier records the ceiling alone: not less than five years under § 30a Abs. 1, with a determinate sentence capped at fifteen years by StGB § 38 Abs. 2. No ordinary band is recorded, so none is stated here. On a common prescription medicine the offence turns on provenance rather than on identity, so tablets held without a lawful supply route are an offence in a substance that is entirely lawful when dispensed.

If prescribed or medical

Prescribed as an Anlage III benzodiazepine; within the exemption an ordinary prescription suffices.

Documentation

Within the Schengen area carry the Article 75 CISA certificate; domestically carry the prescription.

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