Romania’s ‘Cristal’ Drug: A Lawyer’s Guide to the Legal Risks

In Romanian slang, the terms crystal (“cristal”) or (bath) salt (“sare”) are used generically to refer to substances with the appearance of white crystals or powders, similar to salt. These terms do not designate a specific chemical substance

What substances fall under these names?

These names refer to synthetic cathinones — derivatives of the natural cathinone (from the Khat plant), often sold as ‘legal’ alternatives to other drugs such as amphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine

Synthetic cathinones are the second largest group of new psychoactive substances monitored by the EUDA (European Union Drugs Agency, formerly known as EMCDDA). Through the EU Early Warning System (EWS), over 170 synthetic cathinones have been reported.

Why are they popular?

The popularity of synthetic cathinones in Romania is fueled by their very low price compared to other stimulants. Consequently, their availability is much higher in Eastern Europe.

What You Need to Know from a Legal Standpoint

Depending on the exact substance, the legal regime can differ. The precise identification of the chemical compound through laboratory analysis is crucial in the criminal process, as it determines the legal classification of the offense. Thus:

The most popular synthetic cathinones are already considered risk or high-risk drugs and fall under Law no. 143/2000 on preventing and combating the illicit traffic and use of drugs in Romania. This means that any possession, even for personal use, can lead to criminal liability. These include, for example

• 2-CMC (2-Chloromethcathinone)
• 2-MMC (2-Methylmethcathinone)
• 3-MMC (3-Methylmethcathinone)
• 3-CMC (3-Chloromethcathinone)
• 4-MMC (Methylmethcathinone, also known as Mephedrone).
• alpha-PiHP (α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone).

Other synthetic cathinones that are not (yet) considered drugs fall under another law (Law 194/2011), which prohibits operations (production, sale, distribution, etc.) with products that may have psychoactive effects but does not criminalize possession for personal use of these substances

Therefore, a fundamental distinction, with a direct impact on the defense strategy, is whether the substance is on the list of risk/high-risk drugs (Law 143/2000) or is considered a ‘product likely to have psychoactive effects’ (Law 194/2011). Only in the first case (Law 143/2000) is simple possession for personal use a crime. Under Law 194/2011, possession for personal use is not criminalized.

Consult harm reduction sources for information on health risks.

„Cristal” ≠ „Crystal Meth”

These substances have no connection to “crystal meth.” Crystal meth is the specific street name for methamphetamine hydrochloride, a powerful stimulant from the amphetamine class, with a different chemical structure and a distinct profile of risks and effects compared to synthetic cathinones.

The confusion often arises from the direct translation of the word “crystal” and the fact that both types of substances can appear in crystalline form. However, they belong to different chemical classes, and the name “cristal” in the Romanian context refers to the physical appearance of synthetic cathinones, not their chemical identity with methamphetamine.

Conclusion

The names “cristal” or “sare” are insufficient to determine the exact legal risks and offer no guarantee regarding the chemical identity or legal status of the substance.

Regardless of the exact substance, any person under investigation has rights provided by criminal law: the right to remain silent, the right not to incriminate oneself, and, crucially, the right to a lawyer from the very first interaction with law enforcement. Exercising these rights can significantly influence the course of a case.

If you are facing a situation involving possession, trafficking, or other drug-related criminal offenses, I encourage you to seek a specialized legal consultation.