Benzylpiperazine/Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine - The Law

The Law

In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 called for the assignment of all controlled drug substances into one of five categories called schedules. These schedules are based on a substance's medicinal value, possible harmfulness, and potential for abuse and addiction. Schedule I is reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use.

In 2003, Drug Topics reported that the DEA was working to have both BZP and TFMPP added to the list of Schedule I drugs under the CSA. The reasoning behind these actions was that the drugs "have hallucinogenic or amphetamine-like activity and have been abused by individuals who have bought them through Internet companies." Until they were scheduled, BZP and TFMPP could be purchased legally from chemical supply houses. However, they were not intended for human consumption. Buyers got around this specification by lying about the intended use of the drug.

On March 18, 2004, the DEA officially classified BZP as a Schedule I drug, so its use in the United States is now regulated by federal law. Any person convicted of possessing and/or selling a Schedule I drug can face a lengthy prison term and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Repeat offenders receive even harsher punishment.