Establishes psychedelic phenethylamine as a Schedule I hallucinogenic controlled substance

BILL NUMBER:S5181

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing psychedelic phenethylamine, as a Schedule I hallucinogenic controlled substance

Purpose

To prohibit the sale or distribution of any product containing 4-ethyl-2,5dimethoxphenethlyamine, commonly referred to as 2C-E.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 Subdivision (d) of Schedule I of section 3306 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph 33.

Justification

Recent media reports have brought to light the increasing use of the dangerous designer drug 2CE, a synthetic psychedelic also known as Europa. 2C-E is a white powder sometimes pressed into pills, and usually taken orally or snorted. 2C-E is marketed online as a "research chemical" and can be purchased legally over the Internet but it has no accepted medical use according to police and media reports. Additionally, there are websites detailing how to use and the effects of using the chemical as a recreational drug, which consumers can easily access.

The effects of 2C-E are similar to those of other psychedelic phenethylamines, but far more intense and violent. Reported effects include hallucinations; muscle tension and aching; jaw tension; increased perspiration; increased body temperature, gastrointestinal discomfort; nausea; cardiac arrest; among others. One death due to cardiac arrest as well as several overdoses have been reported nationwide.

Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have outlawed 2C-E as a controlled substance.

This bill would ban the sale or distribution of 2C-E in New York State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after becoming law.