Is Molly legal in California?
In a recent study into MDMA assisted therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, experts are seeing promising results and improvements for those who suffer from treatment-resistant patterns of the disorder. MDMA, molly and ecstasy are often used interchangeably to describe the stimulant and psychoactive club drug mostly used recreationally. Because of these new findings, many are left wondering, is molly legal in California? Is it still illegal and a federally controlled substance?
Recent clinical studies on MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD resulted in about 86% of participants with treatment-resistant PTSD achieving clinically meaningful improvement. About 71% of those patients no longer met the criteria for PTSD and about 46% of those patients me remission criteria for PTSD.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) announced that the FDA designated MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD as a Breakthrough Therapy and allowed clinical testing on the drug. However, today, there is still conflicting information about whether or not clinical trials have proven enough evidence to allow for MDMA assisted therapy to continue. This also makes the legality of molly in California questionable.
What is MDMA?
MDMA is short for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It was first developed in Germany in the early 20th century as an appetite suppressant. Today, its stimulant effects and hallucinogenic effects have appealed to the younger generation, where it is known as a recreational club and party drug.
MDMA stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in feelings of intense euphoria, increased energy, increased empathy and heightened sensory perception. The synthetic substance can make users feel less inhibited and can keep a person’s energy going for hours all night.
This is especially useful when partying at raves and nightclubs. MDMA is often mixed with other substances like alcohol in an attempt to enhance and prolong the effects of both substances.
It is most often sold as a colorful oral tablet. The drugs are available in fun, bright colors with printed popular logos designed to appeal to the younger crowd.
MDMA is a Schedule II controlled substance. This means the drug has the potential for abuse, but does have acceptable medical use with very severe restrictions. It is generally considered highly addictive and unsafe. It is typically made in labs and smuggled into the US.
The psychedelic drug primarily acts on the serotonin system in the brain. It alters the user’s thoughts, mood and sense of reality. It can prompt intense emotions and can be taken in several ways. Stacking MDMA is when a user takes three or more MDMA tablets at once in order to produce long-lasting effects. Piggy backing is when a user takes MDMA back-to-back over a short period of time. This is again used to prolong the effects of the drug. Another trend is called candy flipping, which is the co-abuse of MDMA and LSD.
Dangerous Side Effects of MDMA Abuse
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Aggression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills and sweating
- Involuntary teeth clenching
- Muscle cramping and muscle tension
- Blurred vision
- Hyperthermia
- Seizures
- Paranoia and confusion
- Drug cravings for MDMA
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Rapid eye movement
The effects of MDMA can begin within 30-45 minutes after intake. The duration of effects can last between 4-6 hours, depending on the potency of the drug.
Is Molly legal in California?
No. MDMA is not legal in California. It is illegal to possess, transport or sell MDMA in the state of California. Simple possession of molly is considered a misdemeanor that can result in jail time if the user completes a drug diversion program. Selling or the intent to sell can result in felony charges and years in prison.
There are three common charges when it comes to MDMA: simple possession, possession for sale and transportation for sale.
Drug possession falls under Health & Safety Code 11377 HS and is the least serious charge and applies when a person possesses molly for personal use, typically in small amounts.
Drug possession for sale falls under Health & Safety Code 11378 HS, which is possession of MDMA with intent to sell. For example, you can be caught with a larger quantity, packaging materials and scale, which can suggest you intend to distribute and is considered a felony offense.
Drug transportation or sale falls under Health & Safety Code 11379 HS and is the most serious MDMA related charge in California. It is also known as drug trafficking.
Check Your Insurance Coverage for FREE
Find out if your insurance covers addiction treatment in minutes. We accept most insurance!
MDMA Assisted Therapy for the treatment of PTSD
According to the federal law, psychedelic drugs like MDMA are not legal for use in standard clinical care. There are some exceptions to be used in medical research, but making these drugs available to the people who need to study them can be difficult. Approval is often a hurdle to overcome.
MDMA therapy for PTSD was first granted a breakthrough designation by the FDA in 2017. Some of the clinical trials on MDMA assisted psychotherapy have seen promising results showing the treatment to be safe and effective. In some of these controlled studies, MDMA was associated with side effects that were generally mild to moderate and did not seem to last very long.
In early 2020, the FDA authorized MDMA assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD under the MAP initiative. The MAP initiative allows for the use of investigational drugs under strict treatment protocols for people who face serious, life-threatening conditions in which conventional treatment has not worked.
California senator Scott Wiener’s bipartisan Senate bill SB 1012 made the decision to allow persons over the age of 21 to use psychedelics like MDMA under the supervision of trained and licensed professionals. It basically made it legal to participate in MDMA assisted therapy. However, the bill was halted due to “unknown significant ongoing costs.” There are currently no plans to move forward with the bill under the CA budget.
How does MDMA assisted therapy work?
MDMA assisted therapy is given on a limited basis. The drug is given to patients in a controlled setting, where side effects are managed. It is most often used in combination with psychotherapies such as CBT where multiple therapists are present. Patients are in a room designed to make them feel safe and comfortable while the drugs take effect.
The current research on the drug provides a limited number of sessions. Three sessions lasting around 6-8 hours are typical. During each session, the therapists will focus on helping patients create a sense of safety while they turn inward to analyze their own traumas and triggers.
Part of how psychedelic therapy has been successful is because the drug increases feelings of connectedness, trust and empathy. It helps patients reduce fear of confronting traumatic or triggering memories. It allows for openness. This openness and honesty with their feelings in turn, can help patients better manage their emotions.
After each MDMA session, patients then move to psychotherapy integrated sessions to develop and analyze the deeper understanding they gained through the psychedelic sessions. It has shown positive results, but there is still research to explore different models of MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD and to explore other risks and benefits.
Addiction to MDMA
MDMA itself is considered to have a low risk of dependence. The risk of dependence and addiction is actually more closely linked to molly and ecstasy. This is because molly and ecstasy pills can contain other unknown contaminants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and fentanyl. In fact, about half of ecstasy pills contain these other ingredients. And when they are taken in an uncontrolled and nonclinical environment, it can pose higher risks for dangerous side effects that include overdose.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
MDMA and other forms of the drug, like molly and ecstasy can become addictive substances. It is a controlled substance and is not legal both on the state and federal levels. However, this has not stopped some researchers, scientists and advocates for psychedelic therapy from doing more clinical medical studies on the drug.
Professional behavioral treatment programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide assistance for those addicted to MDMA, ecstasy, molly and other psychedelic drugs. We offer treatment at all levels of care include detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT and family therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.keglawyers.com/ecstasy-legal-in-california
https://www.omarfigueroa.com/the-legality-of-mdma-under-california-law
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3494/index.htm
https://psychedelic.support/resources/where-legalized-mdma-assisted-psychotherapy
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ecstasy-MDMA-2020_0.pdf
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/mdma_assisted_therapy.asp
