Mephedrone is a white substance. It is sold most commonly as crystals or a powder, but also in the form of capsules or pills. It can have a distinctive odour, reported to range from a synthetic fishy smell to the smell of vanilla and bleach, stale urine, electric circuit boards.
When mephedrone was rediscovered in 2003, it was not specifically illegal to possess in any country. As its use has increased many countries have passed legislation making the possession, sale and manufacturing of mephedrone illegal.
As of September 7, 2011, The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is using its emergency scheduling authority to temporarily control mephedrone. This action was claimed to be necessary to protect the public from the supposed hazard posed by the drug. Except as authorized by law, this action will make possessing and selling Mephedrone or the products that contain it illegal in the U.S. for at least one year while the DEA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services conduct further study.