Fortunately, cathinones appear to lie on the lower-end of the risk spectrum compared to other MDMA adulterants seen in the past, such as para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA). The authors noted that the periodic emergence of cathinones in UK drug markets seems to coincide with periods of MDMA scarcity. The aim of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 was to reduce the supply of New Psychoactive Substances such as cathinones. This was as seen previously with mephedrone and N-ethylpentylone during other periods of disruption to MDMA markets, where demand outstripped supply. This reminds us that drug markets are international and therefore UK legislation is not the only legislative influence on UK illicit drug markets.

Source: The Guardian June 08, 2022 00:07 UTC