Not yet medically reviewed, information on this site is in preparation and has not been verified by a medical reviewer.
Legality · MDA

Is MDA legal in United States?

Confirmed against a primary sourceVerified September 15, 2026
Legal status
Controlled. Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, at 21 CFR 1308.11(d)(10). Listed by name. This cell states federal law only. Every state has its own controlled substances act and several differ from the federal schedules, so check the law of the state you are in.
Consequences if caught
It is listed by name at 21 CFR 1308.11(d)(10). Supply is 21 USC 841. Unless the substance appears in the weight tables of section 841(b)(1)(A) or (B), it falls to section 841(b)(1)(C), which reads that such a person 'shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years or more than life'. There is no mandatory minimum under that paragraph, which is not the same as a light penalty. Simple possession is 21 USC 844(a), up to 1 year and a fine of at least 1,000 dollars on a first offence, with higher figures after a prior conviction. The section excepts a substance 'obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order, from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice'.
If prescribed or medical
Schedule I placement means no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, so there is no ordinary prescription route. Research handling requires registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration under 21 USC 823.
Documentation
Carry any prescribed medicine in its original labelled container with the prescription. Federal law and the law of the state you are entering can differ, so confirm both before travel.
Primary sources
  • Controlled Substances Act, 21 USC 802, 812, 813, 841 and 844 (Office of the Law Revision Counsel)
  • 21 CFR 1308.11 to 1308.15 (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, current as of 11 September 2026)
  • 91 FR 22714, 28 April 2026, for marijuana in an approved product or under a state medical licence
  • uscode.house.gov
  • ecfr.gov
  • federalregister.gov

Court records

We publish verified court records for United States, but have not verified one involving MDA.

Source checked United States Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys' Offices · 2026-08-31

Other substances confirmed in United States