Resumen

This study critically examines the singular case of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in Spain—a substance that was initially controlled in 2002, together with GHB and its salts, esters, and ethers, under the national schedule of psychotropic substances. In 2006, after strong pressure from the Spanish chemical industry and following consultation with affected sectors, GBL and all esters and ethers of GHB were expressly removed from the national controlled substances list. The main justification was to prevent severe competitive disadvantages for Spanish industry, since GBL remained widely used as a chemical solvent, had no established therapeutic value, and was not subject to international or European criminal scheduling. Since then, GBL has not been subject to any criminal or administrative scheduling, and its trade is governed only by general chemical and commercial regulations—not by any special regime for controlled substances.