Law and penalities

Ecstasy is illegal in New Zealand, scheduled as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The penalty for importing, manufacturing or supplying (dealing) ecstasy is a maximum of 14 years imprisonment. Possession of ecstasy could incur three months jail and a fine up to $500.

In 2005 exstacy was reclassified from Class B2 to Class B1 in the schedule, which increased the maximum penalties associated with it and also increased some police powers related to search and surveillance provisions.