Is Mephedrone (4-MMC) legal in Australia?
- Legal status
- Controlled — mephedrone is listed by name ('4-METHYLMETHCATHINONE (MEPHEDRONE)') as a Schedule 9 Prohibited Substance in the Poisons Standard (Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons). It is additionally a border controlled drug under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Regulations. A firm named listing.
- Consequences if caught
- Schedule 9 substances may lawfully be used only for approved research under permit; manufacture, possession, sale and use are otherwise prohibited. Enforced through state/territory drug laws and Commonwealth trafficking offences (serious penalties above trafficable/commercial thresholds).
- If prescribed or medical
- Schedule 9 (prohibited substance) — no therapeutic or prescription use; supply is restricted to authorised research only.
- Documentation
- Named in Schedule 9 of the Poisons Standard (Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) Instrument, Federal Register of Legislation); also scheduled as a border controlled drug under the Criminal Code Regulations.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Australia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →