Is Ketamine Legal in North Carolina? (2026)

Instrument

Schedule I controlled substances; hallucinogenic substances

Source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-89.html

Retrieved

2026-10-31

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This schedule includes the controlled substances listed or to be listed by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or trade name designated. In determining that a substance comes within this schedule, the Commission shall find: a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, or a lack of accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision. The following controlled substances are included in this schedule:

(3)	Hallucinogenic substances. - Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, or listed in another schedule, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric), and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:
a.	3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine.
b.	5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine.
c.	3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
d.	3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (also known as N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenethylamine, N-ethyl MDA, MDE, and MDEA).
e.	N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (also known as N-hydroxy/y-alpha-methyl-3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenethylamine, and N-hydroxy MDA).
f.	3, 4, 5-trimethoxyamphetamine.
g.	Alpha-ethyltryptamine. Some trade or other names: etryptamine, Monase, alpha-ethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamine, 3-(2-aminobutyl) indole, alpha-ET, and AET.
h.	Bufotenine.
i.	Diethyltryptamine.
j.	Dimethyltryptamine.
k.	4-methyl-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
l
.	Ibogaine.
m.	Lysergic acid diethylamide.
n.	Mescaline.
o.	Peyote, meaning all parts of the plant presently classified botanically as Lophophora Williamsii Lemaire, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; any extract from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of such plant, its seed or extracts.
p.	N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
q.	N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
r.	Psilocybin.
s.	Psilocin.
t.	2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
u.	2, 5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine. Some trade or other names: DOET.
v.	4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
w.	4-methoxyamphetamine.
x.	Ethylamine analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine, (1-phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine, N-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine, cyclohexamine, PCE.
y.	Pyrrolidine analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-pyrrolidine, PCPy, PHP.
z.	Thiophene analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: 1-[1-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl]-piperidine, 2-thienyl analog of phencyclidine, TPCP, TCP.
aa.	1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]pyrrolidine; Some other names: TCPy.
bb.	Parahexyl.
cc.	4-Bromo-2, 5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine.
dd.	Alpha-Methyltryptamine.
ee.	5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine.
ff.	Methoxetamine (other names: MXE, 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE).
gg.	BTCP (Benzothiophenylcyclohexylpiperidine).
hh.	Deschloroketamine.
jj.	3-MeO-PCP (3-methoxyphencyclidine).
kk.	4-hydroxy-MET.
ll
.	4-OH-MiPT (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine).
mm.	5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-propyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT).
nn.	Substituted tryptamines. - Any compound, unless specifically excepted, specifically named in this schedule, or listed under a different schedule, structurally derived from 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine (i.e., tryptamine) by mono- or di-substitution of the amine nitrogen with alkyl or alkenyl groups or by inclusion of the amino nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure whether or not the compound is further substituted at the alpha position with an alkyl group or whether or not further substituted on the indole ring to any extent with any alkyl, alkoxy, halo, hydroxyl, or acetoxy groups. Substances in this class include, but are not limited to: 4-AcO-DiPT (4-acetoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine), 4-HO-MPMI ((R)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydoxyindole), and DALT (N,N-diallyltryptamine).
oo.	Substituted phenylcyclohexylamines. - Any compound, unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, or contained within a pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing a phenylcyclohexylamine structure, with or without any substitution on the phenyl ring, any substitution on the cyclohexyl ring, any replacement of the phenyl ring with a thiophenyl or benzothiophenyl ring, with or without substitution on the amine with alkyl, dialkyl, or alkoxy substituents, inclusion of the nitrogen in a cyclic structure, or any combination of the above. Substances in this class include, but are not limited to: BCP (benocyclidine), PCMPA ((phenylcyclohexyl(methoxypropylamine)), and Hydroxy-PCP ((hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexylpiperidine).

Instrument

Schedule I controlled substances, hallucinogenic substances

Source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-89.html

Retrieved

2026-11-06

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(3)	Hallucinogenic substances. - Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, or listed in another schedule, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric), and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:
a.	3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine.
b.	5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine.
c.	3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
d.	3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (also known as N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenethylamine, N-ethyl MDA, MDE, and MDEA).
e.	N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (also known as N-hydroxy/y-alpha-methyl-3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenethylamine, and N-hydroxy MDA).
f.	3, 4, 5-trimethoxyamphetamine.
g.	Alpha-ethyltryptamine. Some trade or other names: etryptamine, Monase, alpha-ethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamine, 3-(2-aminobutyl) indole, alpha-ET, and AET.
h.	Bufotenine.
i.	Diethyltryptamine.
j.	Dimethyltryptamine.
k.	4-methyl-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
l
.	Ibogaine.
m.	Lysergic acid diethylamide.
n.	Mescaline.
o.	Peyote, meaning all parts of the plant presently classified botanically as Lophophora Williamsii Lemaire, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; any extract from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of such plant, its seed or extracts.
p.	N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
q.	N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
r.	Psilocybin.
s.	Psilocin.
t.	2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
u.	2, 5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine. Some trade or other names: DOET.
v.	4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
w.	4-methoxyamphetamine.
x.	Ethylamine analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine, (1-phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine, N-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine, cyclohexamine, PCE.
y.	Pyrrolidine analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-pyrrolidine, PCPy, PHP.
z.	Thiophene analog of phencyclidine. Some trade or other names: 1-[1-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl]-piperidine, 2-thienyl analog of phencyclidine, TPCP, TCP.
aa.	1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]pyrrolidine; Some other names: TCPy.
bb.	Parahexyl.
cc.	4-Bromo-2, 5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine.
dd.	Alpha-Methyltryptamine.
ee.	5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine.
ff.	Methoxetamine (other names: MXE, 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE).
gg.	BTCP (Benzothiophenylcyclohexylpiperidine).
hh.	Deschloroketamine.
jj.	3-MeO-PCP (3-methoxyphencyclidine).
kk.	4-hydroxy-MET.
ll
.	4-OH-MiPT (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine).
mm.	5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-propyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT).
nn.	Substituted tryptamines. - Any compound, unless specifically excepted, specifically named in this schedule, or listed under a different schedule, structurally derived from 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine (i.e., tryptamine) by mono- or di-substitution of the amine nitrogen with alkyl or alkenyl groups or by inclusion of the amino nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure whether or not the compound is further substituted at the alpha position with an alkyl group or whether or not further substituted on the indole ring to any extent with any alkyl, alkoxy, halo, hydroxyl, or acetoxy groups. Substances in this class include, but are not limited to: 4-AcO-DiPT (4-acetoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine), 4-HO-MPMI ((R)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydoxyindole), and DALT (N,N-diallyltryptamine).
oo.	Substituted phenylcyclohexylamines. - Any compound, unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, or contained within a pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing a phenylcyclohexylamine structure, with or without any substitution on the phenyl ring, any substitution on the cyclohexyl ring, any replacement of the phenyl ring with a thiophenyl or benzothiophenyl ring, with or without substitution on the amine with alkyl, dialkyl, or alkoxy substituents, inclusion of the nitrogen in a cyclic structure, or any combination of the above. Substances in this class include, but are not limited to: BCP (benocyclidine), PCMPA ((phenylcyclohexyl(methoxypropylamine)), and Hydroxy-PCP ((hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexylpiperidine).

Instrument

Schedule I controlled substances - Substituted phenethylamines

Source

https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-89.pdf

Retrieved

2026-07-20

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(8) Substituted phenethylamines. - This includes any compound, unless specifically excepted, specifically named or included in another subset in this schedule, or listed under a different schedule, structurally derived from phenylethan-2-amine by substitution on the phenyl ring in any of the following ways, that is to say, by substitution with a fused methylenedioxy ring, fused furan ring, or fused tetrahydrofuran ring; by substitution with two alkoxy groups; by substitution with one alkoxy and either one fused furan, tetrahydrofuran, or tetrahydropyran ring system; or by substitution with two fused ring systems from any combination of the furan, tetrahydrofuran, or tetrahydropyran ring systems. Whether or not the compound is further modified in any of the following ways, that is to say: (i) by substitution of phenyl ring by any halo, hydroxyl, alkyl, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy, or alylthio groups, (ii) by substitution at the 2-position by any alkyl groups, or (iii) by substitution at the 2-amino nitrogen atom with alkyl, dialkyl, benzyl, hydroxybenzyl, methylenedioxybenzyl, or methoxybenzyl groups. Substances in this class include, but are not limited to: 2C-I (4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine), APDB ((2-aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran), MBDB (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylbutanamine), and 2C-I-NBOH (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine).

Instrument

Schedule II opiates and opioids

Source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-90.html

Retrieved

2026-11-01

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(2) Any of the following opiates or opioids, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation unless specifically exempted or listed in other schedules:

a. Alfentanil.

b. Alphaprodine.

c. Anileridine.
d. Bezitramide.

e. Carfentanil.

f. Dihydrocodeine.

g. Diphenoxylate.

h. Fentanyl.

h1. Fentanyl immediate precursor chemical, 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine (ANPP).

h2. Norfentanyl (N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl) propionamide).

i. Isomethadone.

j. Levo-alphacetylmethadol. Some trade or other names: levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, levomethadyl acetate, or LAAM.

k. Levomethorphan.

l. Levorphanol.

m. Metazocine.

n. Methadone.

o. Methadone - Intermediate, 4-cyano-2-dimethylamino-4, 4-diphenyl butane.
p. Moramide - Intermediate, 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1, 1-diphenyl-propane-carboxylic acid.

q. Pethidine.

r. Pethidine - Intermediate - A, 4-cyano-1-methyl-4/y-phenylpiperidine.

s. Pethidine - Intermediate - B, ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylate.

t. Pethidine - Intermediate - C, 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid.

u. Phenazocine.

v. Piminodine.

w. Racemethorphan.

x. Racemorphan.

y. Remifentanil.

z. Sufentanil.

aa. Tapentadol.

bb. Tianeptine.

Instrument

Schedule III controlled substances; depressants

Source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-91.html

Retrieved

2026-10-31

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This schedule includes the controlled substances listed or to be listed by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or trade name designated. In determining that a substance comes within this schedule, the Commission shall find: a potential for abuse less than the substances listed in Schedules I and II; currently accepted medical use in the United States; and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. The following controlled substances are included in this schedule:

(b)	Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system unless specifically exempted or listed in another schedule:
1.	Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid.
2.	Chlorhexadol.
3.	Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 319, s. 5.
4.	Lysergic acid.
5.	Lysergic acid amide.
6.	Methyprylon.
7.	Sulfondiethylmethane.
8.	Sulfonethylmethane.
9.	Sulfonmethane.
9a.	Tiletamine and zolazepam or any salt thereof. Some trade or other names for tiletamine-zolazepam combination product: Telazol. Some trade or other names for tiletamine:
2-(ethylamino)-2-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexanone. Some trade or other names for zolazepam: 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6,8-dihydro-1,3,8-trimethylpyrazolo-[3,4-e][ 1,4]/y-diazepin-7(1H)-one. flupyrazapon.
10.	Any compound, mixture or preparation containing
(i)	Amobarbital.
(ii)	Secobarbital.
(iii)	Pentobarbital.
or any salt thereof and one or more active ingredients which are not included in any other schedule.
11.	Any suppository dosage form containing
(i)	Amobarbital.
(ii)	Secobarbital.
(iii)	Pentobarbital.
or any salt of any of these drugs and approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for marketing as a suppository.
12.	Ketamine.

Instrument

North Carolina Toxic Vapors Act: definitions, inhaling, possession, sale, penalty

Source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_90/Article_5A.html

Retrieved

2026-10-31

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§ 90-113.9.  Definitions.
For purposes of this Article, unless the context requires otherwise,
(1)	“Intoxication” means drunkenness, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, irrational behavior, or other change, distortion, or disturbance of the auditory, visual, or mental processes.
(2)	“Commission” means the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, established under Part 4 of Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes.
(1971, c. 1208, s. 1; 1979, c. 671, s. 1; 1981, c. 51, s. 10; 1995, c. 509, s. 40.)
 
§ 90-113.10.  Inhaling fumes for purpose of causing intoxication.
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly breathe or inhale any compound, liquid, or chemical containing toluol, hexane, trichloroethane, isopropanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl cellosolve acetate, cyclohexanone, ethyl alcohol, or any other substance for the purpose of inducing a condition of intoxication. This section does not apply to any person using as an inhalant any chemical substance pursuant to the direction of a licensed medical provider authorized by law to prescribe the inhalant or chemical substance possessed. (1971, c. 1208, s. 1; 1979, c. 671, s. 2; 2007-134, s. 1.)
 
§ 90-113.10A.  Alcohol vaporizing devices prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly manufacture, sell, give, deliver, possess, or use an alcohol vaporizing device. As used in this section, “alcohol vaporizing device” or "AVD" means a device, machine, apparatus, or appliance that is designed or marketed for the purpose of mixing ethyl alcohol with pure or diluted oxygen, or another gas, to produce an alcoholic vapor that an individual can inhale or snort. An AVD does not include an inhaler, nebulizer, atomizer, or other device that is designed and intended by the manufacturer to dispense either a substance prescribed by a licensed medical provider authorized by law to prescribe the inhalant or chemical substance possessed, or an over-the-counter medication approved by monograph or new drug application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301, et seq.), provided the instrument is not used for the purpose of inducing a condition of intoxication through inhalation. Violation of this section is not a lesser included offense of G.S. 90-113.22. (2007-134, s. 2.)
 
§ 90-113.11.  Possession of substances.
It is unlawful for any person to possess any compound, liquid, or chemical containing toluol, hexane, trichloroethane, isopropanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl cellosolve acetate, cyclohexanone, ethyl alcohol, or any other substance which will induce a condition of intoxication through inhalation for the purpose of violating G.S. 90-113.10. (1971, c. 1208, s. 1; 1979, c. 671, s. 3; 2007-134, s. 3.)
 
§ 90-113.12.  Sale of substance.
It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer to sell, deliver, give, or possess with the intent to sell, deliver, or give any other person any compound, liquid, or chemical containing toluol, hexane, trichloroethane, isopropanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl cellosolve acetate, cyclohexanone, ethyl alcohol, or any other substance which will induce a condition of intoxication through inhalation if he has reasonable cause to suspect that the product sold, offered for sale, given, delivered, or possessed with the intent to sell, give, or deliver, will be used for the purpose of violating G.S. 90-113.10. (1971, c. 1208, s. 1; 1979, c. 671, s. 4; 2007-134, s. 4.)
 
§ 90-113.13.  Violation a misdemeanor.
Violation of this Article is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(1979, c. 671, s. 5; 1993, c. 539, s. 623; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)