Amphetamine

List I substance under the Opium Act — hard drug category.

The Netherlands classifies amphetamine as a List I (hard) drug. In practice, personal possession of very small amounts may not be actively prosecuted, but the drug is not decriminalized. Prescription dexamphetamine is available for ADHD.

Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Amphetamine is Class B in the UK (Class A if prepared for injection). Dexamfetamine is a Schedule 2 controlled drug used for ADHD. Street speed is one of the cheaper stimulants and a persistent part of the UK drug market.

Illegal under the Drug Law of 1921 — no personal-use exception.

Belgium has no formal decriminalization for amphetamine. While a 2003 guideline deprioritized cannabis, it does not apply to amphetamine. Prescription amphetamine is not standard in Belgium; methylphenidate is preferred for ADHD.

Controlled substance — illegal without prescription.

Poland's 2011 amendment allows prosecutors to drop charges for possession of insignificant amounts for personal use (Art. 62a). Amphetamine is one of the most common stimulants in Poland's drug market.

Controlled under the General Health Law — personal-use threshold exists but is tiny.

Mexico's 2009 Narcomenudeo reform set a personal-use threshold for amphetamine at 40 mg — an extremely small amount that is effectively meaningless. Any amount above this triggers criminal charges.

Illegal under Law 11,343/2006 — personal users receive alternative sanctions.

Brazil's 2006 Drug Law removed imprisonment for personal drug use, replacing it with educational and community measures. However, there is no defined quantity threshold, and the distinction between user and trafficker is at the judge's discretion — disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Amphetamine (especially fenproporex) has historically been widely used as a diet pill in Brazil.

Prohibited under Law 23,737 — personal use charges are contested constitutionally.

Argentina's Supreme Court ruled in Arriola (2009) that criminal punishment for private personal drug use is unconstitutional in some circumstances, but the law hasn't been formally reformed. Amphetamine possession can still result in prosecution.

Non-punishable in amounts up to 5 g (personal use), but still technically controlled.

Peru's Penal Code Art. 299 exempts personal possession up to specific thresholds from prosecution. For amphetamine-type substances the threshold is interpreted around 5 g. This is not decriminalization per se, but a non-punishability clause.

Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.

Amphetamine is Class B in New Zealand (methamphetamine is Class A). Dexamfetamine is available on prescription for ADHD. The illicit stimulant market is dominated by methamphetamine rather than amphetamine.

Banned under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act — Schedule 7.

Amphetamine is controlled in South Africa under both the Medicines Act (Schedule 7) and the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. Methamphetamine (locally called "tik") is far more common than amphetamine.

Tightly controlled under the Stimulants Control Law — extremely severe penalties.

Japan has a specific Stimulants Control Law (覚醒剤取締法) that covers amphetamine and methamphetamine with some of the harshest penalties in the developed world. This reflects Japan's severe post-WWII methamphetamine epidemic. ADHD treatment relies on methylphenidate (Concerta) and atomoxetine rather than amphetamine.

Class A controlled drug. Trafficking above thresholds may carry the death penalty.

Singapore controls amphetamine as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. While the explicit mandatory death penalty threshold is defined for methamphetamine (250 g+) rather than amphetamine specifically, trafficking of any Class A drug at scale can carry the death penalty under general provisions.

BtMG Anlage III — prescription amphetamine (Attentin/dexamphetamine) available for ADHD.

Amphetamine (as dexamphetamine) is available on prescription for ADHD in Germany, but recreational use and black-market supply are criminal offences under the BtMG. Prosecutors in some states drop charges for small personal amounts.

Controlled under the SMG. Prescription amphetamine (Attentin) available for ADHD. Personal use diverted to health system.

Austria's SMG allows diversion to therapy for personal-use drug offences. Prescription amphetamine (Attentin®) is available for ADHD since 2014.

Controlled substance under BetmG — prescription amphetamine (Attentin) available for ADHD.

Switzerland permits pharmaceutical amphetamine (Attentin®) for ADHD. Recreational amphetamine is fully illegal; drug-checking services are available in several cities.

Classified as a narcotic (stupéfiant). Dexamphetamine available via hospital prescription for ADHD.

France lists amphetamine as a stupéfiant. Methylphenidate dominates ADHD treatment; dexamphetamine can be obtained through hospital prescriptions. The 2020 amende forfaitaire (€200 on-the-spot fine) for drug use applies.

Schedule II controlled substance — widely prescribed for ADHD (Adderall, Dexedrine).

Amphetamine is Schedule II in the US, reflecting recognized medical use (Adderall, Dexedrine for ADHD). Oregon decriminalized personal possession of all drugs in 2020 (Measure 110) but reversed course in 2024 (HB 4002). Illegal possession penalties vary enormously by state.

Schedule I under the CDSA — prescription amphetamine (Adderall) widely prescribed for ADHD.

Amphetamine is Schedule I in Canada, but pharmaceutical amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse) is commonly prescribed for ADHD. Recreational/illicit possession remains fully criminal. No nationwide decriminalization applies to amphetamine.

Schedule 8 — dexamphetamine prescribed for ADHD. Illegal for non-medical use.

Dexamphetamine is Schedule 8 (controlled drug) and prescribed for ADHD in Australia. Illicit amphetamine is a significant part of the stimulant market alongside methamphetamine. Each state has its own thresholds and penalties.

Dangerous drug. Amphetamine-based ADHD treatments available by prescription.

Amphetamine is classified as a dangerous drug in Israel. Ritalin (methylphenidate) is the dominant ADHD medication; amphetamine-based treatments are less common but available.

Personal use/possession decriminalized; sale and trafficking remain criminal.

Spain does not criminalize drug possession for personal use in private. Public use or possession triggers an administrative fine under the Ley de Seguridad Ciudadana. Amphetamine is available for ADHD via hospital prescription (Elvanse contains lisdexamfetamine).

Personal possession decriminalized since 2001; trafficking is criminal.

Portugal's 2001 decriminalization applies to all drugs including amphetamine. Amounts up to the 10-day personal supply threshold (1 g for amphetamine) lead to a Dissuasion Commission hearing rather than criminal proceedings.

Personal possession is an administrative offence; trafficking is criminal.

Italy distinguishes between personal use (administrative) and supply (criminal) under DPR 309/90. Amphetamine is in Table I. Penalties for personal possession include suspension of driving license, passport, or firearms permit.

Possession of small amounts is a misdemeanour, not a crime.

Czech law sets a specific threshold for amphetamine: up to 2 g is a misdemeanour. The threshold was updated in 2010. Methamphetamine (pervitin) is far more common in Czechia than amphetamine.

Personal dose possession decriminalized under Constitutional Court ruling.

Colombia's Constitutional Court (Sentence C-221/1994) decriminalized possession of personal doses of all drugs. The personal dose for amphetamine-type stimulants is not explicitly defined but falls under the same principle. Actual enforcement varies.