3-MMC & 3-CMC (“Cristal”) Now Illegal High-Risk Drugs in Romania

Law no. 77/2023 for the completion of appendix-tables no. I and II to Law no. 143/2000 on preventing and combating the illicit traffic and use of drugs was published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 281 of April 4, 2023 (Romanian text).

This law updates the official lists of drugs in Romania, annexed to Law no. 143/2000.

Specifically, the law adds 5 new drugs to the appendix-tables of Law no. 143/2000:

1. In Table I (high-risk drugs): 3 substances are added:
   • 2-(methylamino)-1-(3-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (3-MMC), also known as metaphedrone/meow/m-cat/cristal/salt,
   • 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one (3-CMC), also known as metcatinone/meow/m-cat/cristal/sare, and
   • 1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)butan-1-one (Eutylone).
2. In Table II (high-risk drugs): 2 substances are added:
   • 1-{1-[1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (Brorphine) and
   • N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine (Metonitazene).

Main Consequence: By being included in these tables, the 5 substances now fall under the legal control regime for drugs. Any unauthorized operation with them (production, trafficking, possession, use, etc.) becomes illegal under Law no. 143/2000.

IMPORTANT: The substances 3-MMC and 3-CMC are sold in Romania under the generic names of ‘cristal’ or ‘salt’. To better understand how these popular terms function as an umbrella for various synthetic cathinones and their different legal implications, consult the explanation in this article.

The law came into force on April 7, 2023.