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Ltd Ed 'Solve et Elucido' Art Giclee
This reverberating psychedelic giclee print is a gift for a
$500 donation to Erowid. 12" x 12", stretched on canvas, the
image wraps around the sides of the 1" thick piece. Signed
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MBDB
Legal Status
by Erowid
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution :   All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY
MBDB
REGULATED
No
STATUS
Not Approved For
Human Consumption
SCHEDULE
Likely Analog
MBDB is unscheduled in the United States. However, both the FDA and DEA have published informal (not binding as law) documents which include the statement that MBDB is a "positional isomer" of MDE. Because the CSA states that "positional isomers" of MDE are equivalently scheduled (Schedule I), this suggests that MBDB would also be Schedule I.

Complicating this issue, however, is that we are unaware of any prosecutions for possession or sale of MBDB in the U.S. which would clarify the law, and that the technical definition of "positional isomer" would have to be stretched slightly to include MBDB as a positional isomer of MDE. In this case, a methyl (CH3) is moved from one sub-chain to another: MDE and MBDB compared.

It is also possible that it could be considered an analog (of MDE), in which case, sales for human consumption or possession with the intent to ingest could be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act though we are unaware of any such existing cases (6/21/04).

DEA & FDA Documents describing MBDB as a "positional isomer" of MDE:
  • FDA's Comments to the WHO, 2000
  • DEA's Response to the WHO, 1998
  • DEA : Microgram vol 29, number 11, Nov 1996:
    "MBDB is a positional isomer of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, also known as MDE. MDE is an hallucinogenic drug in Schedule I of the CSA. In accordance with 21 CFR 1308.11 (d), optical, positional, and geometric isomers of Schedule I hallucinogenic drugs are also controlled in Schedule I; therefore, MBDB, which is positional isomer of MDE is also in Schedule I of the CSA. A notice confirming the Schedule I control status of MBDB under the CDA will be published in the Federal Register in the near future."
Note: we believe the DEA has not followed through with their stated intention to publish their finding in the Federal Register. Publication in the Federal Register would have far more legal weight than writing the above note in their secret internal publication (Microgram) to which the public is denied access (As of Jan 2003, the DEA has started making new issues of Microgram available, but still refuses any public access to past issues).

U.S. STATE LAW #
Florida #
MBDB is Schedule I in Florida. See http://leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0893/0893.html. (last updated Jul 21, 2012)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other U.S. state, please let us know.

INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Austria #
MBDB is controlled in Austria, see Austrian Schedules or http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/bgbl/ (in German).
Finland #
MBDB was banned in Finland in December 2014. A new government regulation was enacted in Finland that banned over 100 psychoactive chemicals. See Finland's Prohibited Psychoactive Substances: December 19, 2014. (last updated Dec 26, 2014)
Italy (Italia) #
Listed in Tabella I of "Tabelle delle sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope", making it illegal to possess, purchase, or sell. (see Tabelle delle sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope. (thanks a) (last updated Dec 16, 2015)
Japan #
We have been told that Japan added 2C-I, MBDB, and 5-MeO-DIPT to the list of controlled substances in April 2005, however we've been unable to confirm this. One vendor site claims this to be true, but we have not been able to locate any official documents. (thanks SR)
Norway #
The "Derivatbestemmelsen" is an Analog Act-type law in Norway that controls 4-methylmethcathinone, Bk-MBDB, Bromo-Dragonfly, 1,4butanediol, GBL, and MBDB. See legemiddelverket.no. (thanks o) (last updated April 29 2009)
Slovak Republic #
Starting March 1, 2011, MDBD, bk-MBDB, bk-MDMA, and 4-Methylmethcathinone are controlled in the Slovak Republic. See http://www.nrsr.sk/Dynamic/Download.aspx?DocID=350863. (thanks J) (last updated Feb 15 2011)
Sweden #
MBDB became regulated April 1, 1999. It was not placed in an ordinary schedule, but regulated through a new law, concerning "Compounds dangerous to ones health", a sort of "emergency scheduling", where compounds can be placed while they are investigated for possible classification as narcotics. The maximum sentence for selling or possession of these substances is one year imprisonment, compared to the maximum sentence for drug dealing which is 10 years in Sweden. Swedish Law Reference.
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.

CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.