The following message is from Health Canada.
This is to advise you that effective September 21, 2012, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is now included in Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and in the Schedule to Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). While the regulations effecting this are now in force, they will not be published in Canada Gazette, Part II until October 10, 2012.
MDPV is a synthetic drug used recreationally as a central nervous system stimulant. It is a key ingredient in products known as “bath salts”.
These products are not genuine bath salts intended for use in bathing but are rather the street name for drugs that typically contain one or more synthetic stimulants. “Bath salts” may be purchased over the Internet or from drug paraphernalia stores. They are often labeled as “plant food” and “not for human consumption.” The use of MDPV poses a potential risk to the health and safety of Canadians, as it is associated with severe panic attacks, anxiety, hallucinogenic episodes, psychosis, cardiovascular failure, suicide and death.
Canadian reports of incidents involving “bath salts” have originated mainly from the Maritime Provinces including New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The completion of this regulatory action is further to the publication of a Notice to Interested Parties on June 9, 2012. All comments received were considered and not found to have an impact the Ministerial commitment to schedule MDPV by Fall 2012.
The addition of MDPV to Schedule I to the CDSA means that all activities including possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, importation, exportation, possession for the purpose of exportation, and production of MDPV are illegal, unless authorized by regulation. The inclusion in the Schedule to Part J of the FDR means that there is a mechanism in place to authorize scientific research involving MDPV and/or the production of test kits containing MDPV.
Health Canada advises persons in possession of these substances or any controlled substance to seek legal advice should they have questions about compliance with the new regulations.
Regulatory Policy Division
Office of Controlled Substances
Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada