Not yet medically reviewed, information on this site is in preparation and has not been verified by a medical reviewer.
Legality · Mephedrone (4-MMC)

Is Mephedrone (4-MMC) legal in United Kingdom?

Confirmed against a primary sourceVerified July 14, 2026
Legal status
Controlled — GENERIC (the archetypal case). Mephedrone is never individually named; it is caught by the world-first generic cathinone definition inserted into Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Sch 2 Pt 2) by the MDA 1971 (Amendment) Order 2010 — import ban 29 Mar 2010, full control eff. 16 Apr 2010; Schedule 1 (no medicinal use) under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. The blanket Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 also exists but is superseded here by the MDA cathinone generic.
Consequences if caught
Class B / Schedule 1: unauthorised possession up to 5 years, supply/production up to 14 years plus unlimited fine. No death penalty in the UK.
If prescribed or medical
Schedule 1 controlled drug with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route; possession lawful only under a Home Office research licence.
Documentation
No licit personal-carry or import route for a Class B / Schedule 1 controlled drug; travellers cannot bring mephedrone in under any prescription cover.
Primary source

Court records

We have applied to The National Archives for the licence required to analyse Find Case Law records, and will publish outcomes once it is determined.

Source checked Find Case Law, The National Archives · 2026-08-26

Mephedrone (4-MMC) in related jurisdictions

Jurisdictions related to United Kingdom by shared drug statute, shared regulator or constitutional link. Each has its own separately verified status; a relationship is not a shared answer.

Other substances confirmed in United Kingdom

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.

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 →

← Mephedrone (4-MMC) in every countryAll substances in United KingdomMephedrone (4-MMC) drug profile