{"id":"mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015","name":"Mutual Recognition (South Australia) (Controlled Substances) Regulations 2015","slug":"mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":236173,"registerId":"sa-mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-06","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Mutual Recognition (South Australia) (Controlled Substances) Regulations 2015","content":"South Australia\nMutual Recognition (South Australia) (Controlled Substances) Regulations 2015\nunder the Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993\n\nContents\n1\tShort title\n3\tInterpretation\n4\tTemporary exemptions—synthetic drugs\n5\tTemporary exemption—MDMB-CHMICA\n6\tTemporary exemption—certain controlled drugs\nSchedule 1—Temporary exemptions—synthetic drugs\nLegislative history\n\n1—Short title\nThese regulations may be cited as the Mutual Recognition (South Australia) (Controlled Substances) Regulations 2015.\n3—Interpretation\nIn these regulations—\nAct means the Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993.\n4—Temporary exemptions—synthetic drugs\n\t(1)\tFor the purposes of section 5 of the Act and section 15 of the Commonwealth Act—\n\t(a)\tthe substances specified in Schedule 1 and any preparation containing 1 or more of those substances are declared to be goods to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies; and\n\t(b)\tthe provisions of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014 inserted by the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Variation Regulations 2015 are declared to be a law to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies.\n\t(2)\tThe exemptions from the Commonwealth Act under subregulation (1) have effect for a period of 12 months following the commencement of this regulation.\n5—Temporary exemption—MDMB-CHMICA\n\t(1)\tFor the purposes of section 5 of the Act and section 15 of the Commonwealth Act—\n\t(a)\tthe substance methyl 2-(1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (MDMB-CHMICA) and any preparation containing that substance are declared to be goods to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies; and\n\t(b)\tthe provisions of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014 referring to the substance specified in paragraph (a) (inserted by regulation 4(4) of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Variation Regulations 2015) are declared to be a law to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies.\n\t(2)\tThe exemptions from the Commonwealth Act under subregulation (1) have effect for a period of 12 months following the commencement of this regulation.\n6—Temporary exemption—certain controlled drugs\n\t(1)\tFor the purposes of section 5 of the Act and section 15 of the Commonwealth Act—\n\t(a)\tthe substances to which this regulation applies and any preparation containing 1 or more of those substances are declared to be goods to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies; and\n\t(b)\tthe provisions of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014 referring to a substance to which this regulation applies (inserted by the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) (Miscellaneous) Variation Regulations 2017) are declared to be a law to which section 15 of the Commonwealth Act applies.\n\t(2)\tThe exemptions from the Commonwealth Act under subregulation (1) have effect for a period of 12 months following the commencement of this regulation.\n\t(3)\tThis regulation applies to the following substances:\n\t(a)\tacetyl fentanyl;\n\t(b)\tbutyryl fentanyl;\n\t(c)\tclonazolam;\n\t(d)\tdeschloroetizolam;\n\t(e)\tN,N-Dialkylaminocyclohexyl alkyl benzamides (not otherwise listed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014);\n\t(f)\tN,N-Dialkylaminocyclohexylmethyl alkyl benzamides (not otherwise listed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014);\n\t(g)\t3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]\n-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700);\n\t(h)\tdiclazepam;\n\t(i)\tfentanyls (not otherwise listed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014);\n\t(j)\tflubromazepam;\n\t(k)\tflubromazolam;\n\t(l)\tfuranyl fentanyl;\n\t(m)\tmeclonazepam;\n\t(n)\tnifoxipam;\n\t(o)\tocfentanil;\n\t(p)\tpara-fluorobutyryl-fentanyl;\n\t(q)\tpyrazolam.\nSchedule 1—Temporary exemptions—synthetic drugs\n1-pentyl-3-(Adamant-1-oyl)indole (AB-001)\nN-(Adamant-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (STS-135)\n3-(1-Adamantoyl)-indoles\nN-(1-Adamantyl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (5F-AKB48)\nN-(1-Adamantyl)-indazole-3-carboxamides\nN-allyl-N-[2-(5-Methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]prop-2-en-1-amine (N,N-diallyl-5-Methoxytryptamine or 5-MeO-DALT)\nN-[1-Aminocarbonyl)-2-methylpropyl]-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-CHMINACA)\nN-[1-(Aminocarbonyl)-2-methylpropyl]-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PINACA)\nN-[1-(Aminocarbonyl)-2-methylpropyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1H-indazole-3-\ncarboxamide (AB-FUBINACA)\n1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-one (Ethylone)\n1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butan-1-one (Butylone)\n1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)pentan-1-one (Pentylone)\n3,4 dichloro-N-[1-(dimethylamino)cyclohexylmethyl]benzamide (AH-7921)\n(3-Diethylamino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-4-aminobenzoate (Dimethocaine)\n6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-amine (5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane or MDAI)\n2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25H-NBOMe)\n2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-H)\n5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (cannabicyclohexanol)\n5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (CP-47,497)\n2-ethylamino-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (4-methylethcathinone or 4-MEC)\nN-(1-Fenchyl)-indole-3-carboxamides\n2-(4-Fluoro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-aminoethane (2C-F)\n2-(4-Fluoro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25F-NBOMe)\nIndazole-3-carboxamides\n(Indol-3-yl)-(2,2,3,3-tetra-alkylcyclopropyl)methanones\nIndole-3-carboxylic acid, quinolinyl esters\n7-Methoxy-1-(2-morpholinoethyl)-N-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (N-Fenchyl-1-(2-morpholinoethyl)-7-methoxyindole-3-carboxamide or UR-12)\n1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-propanone (4'-Methyl-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone or 4-MePPP or MαPPP)\nNaphthalen-1-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (NM2201)\n1-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-pentanone (alpha-PVP or alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone)\n1-pentyl-N-tricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]dec-1-yl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (N-(1-Adamantyl)-1-\npentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide or SDB-001 or APICA)\nQuinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (5F-PB-22)\nQuinolin-8-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (PB-22)\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of these regulations (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nLegislation revoked by principal regulations\nThe Mutual Recognition (South Australia) (Controlled Substances) Regulations 2015 revoked the following:\nMutual Recognition (South Australia) Regulations 2013\nPrincipal regulations and variations\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nReference\nCommencement\n2015\n189\nGazette 23.7.2015 p3551\n23.7.2015: r 2\n2015\n245\nGazette 3.12.2015 p5165\n3.12.2015: r 2\n2017\n306\nGazette 7.11.2017 p4551\n12.11.2017: r 2\nProvisions varied\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nr 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n3.12.2015\nr 5\ninserted by 245/2015 r 4\n3.12.2015\nr 6\ninserted by 306/2017 r 4\n12.11.2017\nSch 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n3.12.2015\nHistorical versions\n3.12.2015\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument's scope was expanded after initial commencement by adding new temporary exemptions. Regulation 5 (MDMB‑CHMICA) was inserted by 245/2015 (commencing 3.12.2015) and Regulation 6 (a broader list including fentanyl analogues and related compounds) was inserted by 306/2017 (commencing 12.11.2017) (Legislative history). Each addition declares further substances and corresponding provisions of the Controlled Substances Regulations to be subject to section 15 of the Commonwealth Act, with each exemption limited to 12 months (regs 4(2), 5(2), 6(2))."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross‑referencing to other statutes and instruments (the Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993 and the Commonwealth Act; Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014 and their Variation Regulations) (regs 4(1)(b), 5(1)(b), 6(1)(b)).","Short, repeated time limits: each exemption has a 12‑month lifespan requiring tracking and possible renewal (regs 4(2), 5(2), 6(2)).","Large technical chemical lists and specialised nomenclature (Schedule 1; reg 6(3)), raising evidentiary and identification burdens for regulators and industry.","Layered declarations — the instrument both declares substances to be ‘goods’ and declares other regulations to be ‘laws’ to which s15 applies — producing multi‑jurisdictional interaction points (regs 4–6).","Amendment history and insertions increase moving parts (r5 and r6 were inserted by later variation regulations; see Legislative history), complicating a historical compliance review.","Conditional exclusions and catch‑alls (eg. substances described as “not otherwise listed in Schedule 1” in reg 6(3)(e),(f)) create interpretive edge cases for enforcement and compliance.","Practical compliance costs concentrated on suppliers/importers who must monitor short‑term listing changes and cross‑jurisdictional rules."],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations temporarily declare specified synthetic drugs and other named substances to be \"goods\" for the mutual recognition regime and treat particular provisions of the Controlled Substances Regulations as laws that trigger section 15 of the Commonwealth Act. Each temporary exemption runs for 12 months from commencement. The rules change how the Commonwealth Act applies to anyone supplying, importing or otherwise dealing with the listed substances by creating time‑limited carve‑outs tied to the referenced variation regulations (regs 4–6)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text was not available. The page returned a 'Page Not Found' error following a website update on 24 March 2026, making it impossible to determine whether the regulations' scope changed from their original intent."},"complexity_factors":["No actual legislative text was retrievable — the source page returned a 404 error","Analysis is limited to inferences drawn from the title only","Cannot assess cross-jurisdictional complexity, definitions, schedules, or operative provisions without the text","Complexity score reflects absence of content, not simplicity of the law itself"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations presumably set how South Australia applied the national mutual recognition rules to controlled substances, likely carving out exceptions so certain drugs, poisons or precursors approved in other jurisdictions would not automatically be recognised in SA. \n\nThat would matter to pharmacists, pharmaceutical and chemical businesses, healthcare providers and regulators operating across state borders. The actual text was unavailable, so consult SA Parliamentary Counsel or legislation.sa.gov.au for the definitive rules."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original Mutual Recognition Act scheme was designed to create a national free-trade zone for goods and services. These regulations represent a significant expansion of scope into public health and criminal law enforcement. Rather than facilitating trade, they actively block it for specific substances. The legislation has evolved from a simple procedural mechanism into a dynamic drug control instrument with three separate tranches of additions (2015 synthetic drugs, 2015 MDMB-CHMICA specifically, 2017 fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines), suggesting reactive expansion beyond the original regulatory intent."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross-referencing to multiple other instruments: the Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993, the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992, and the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Plants) Regulations 2014 plus two separate variation regulations","Nested conditional logic: exemptions apply only to specific substances AND only for 12 months AND only to the extent they interact with section 15 of the Commonwealth Act","Technical chemical nomenclature: 47+ distinct chemical substances listed with IUPAC names, common street names, and structural class descriptions","Temporal complexity: three separate commencement dates for different provisions (July 2015, December 2015, November 2017) creating overlapping but distinct exemption periods","Implicit understanding required: assumes knowledge of how section 15 of the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act operates (the 'exemption' mechanism) without explaining it","Fragmentary structure: regulation 2 is omitted, Schedule 2 was deleted, suggesting this is a living document with significant amendment history"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations are a temporary fix to stop dangerous synthetic drugs from slipping through a legal loophole in South Australia.\n\n**What the problem is:**\nAustralia has a 'mutual recognition' system that normally lets goods and services legally sold in one state be sold in another without extra red tape. But this system was designed for things like electrical appliances and professional qualifications — not rapidly changing illegal drugs.\n\n**What these regulations do:**\nThey temporarily **switch off** mutual recognition for specific synthetic drugs and drug analogues. This means even if these substances are technically legal in another Australian state or territory, they **cannot** be automatically imported into or sold in South Australia under mutual recognition laws.\n\n**Who is affected:**\n- **Law enforcement and health authorities** — can ban new synthetic drugs quickly without waiting for full parliamentary processes\n- **Border control and customs** — can seize these substances at South Australian borders\n- **Anyone attempting to import or sell** these specific synthetic drugs — they face South Australian drug laws regardless of what other states allow\n\n**The specific drugs covered:**\nThe regulations list dozens of synthetic substances including:\n- Synthetic cannabinoids (like 'Spice', 'K2' variants)\n- Synthetic cathinones ('bath salts')\n- Novel benzodiazepines\n- Fentanyl analogues\n- NBOMe compounds\n- Various indole and indazole carboxamides\n\n**Why the 12-month time limit matters:**\nEach exemption lasts only 12 months. This forces the government to either properly ban the substance through permanent legislation or let the exemption expire. It's an emergency brake, not a permanent solution.\n\n**Why this matters:**\nSynthetic drug manufacturers constantly tweak chemical structures to stay ahead of the law. These regulations let South Australia respond within weeks rather than months, potentially saving lives while permanent bans are processed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015","history":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015/history","analysis":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/mutual-recognition-south-australia-controlled-substances-regulations-2015/documents"}}