OLR Report 2013-R-0377 provides background information on the drug “2C-P” and whether it is a controlled substance.
2C-P is a synthetic hallucinogenic drug. It is a “designer drug” – that is, a drug designed to evade drug laws but have similar properties as an illegal drug. 2C-P belongs to the 2C series of drugs (ring-substituted phenethylamines) similar in chemical structure to Ecstasy. The full chemical name for 2C-P is 2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl) ethanamine.
At low dosages, 2C drugs generally produce stimulating effects. Moderate or higher dosages generally produce hallucinogenic effects. Other effects of these drugs may include euphoria, increased empathy, and increased sensory perception. Users may experience nausea, vomiting, agitation, seizures, or other negative reactions; deaths have been associated with use of certain 2C drugs (Dean, 2013; Hill, 2011).
2C-P is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law (21 USC § 812; 21 CFR 1308.11). Schedule I drugs are those that have been determined to (1) have a high potential for abuse, (2) have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and (3) not be safe for use under medical supervision (21 USC § 812). 2C-P was added to the Federal Controlled Substances Act effective July 9, 2012, as part of the Synthetic Drug Abuse and Prevention Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-144, Title XI, Subtitle D). That act added 26 substances to the list of Schedule I drugs, including nine 2C series substances.
In Connecticut, controlled substances are listed in Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) regulations (Conn. Agencies Reg., §§ 21a-243-7 to 21a-243-11). 2C-P is not currently on Connecticut's list of controlled substances. DCP has the authority to add substances to the controlled substances list by regulation; the legislature can also enact legislation directing the department to amend its regulations to add specific substances to the list. According to Gary Berner, DCP's legislative liaison, the department is actively considering amending its regulations to add 2C-P to the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
For more information, read the full report.
