It is banned in Thailand, Malaysia, Burma and Australia (although these countries grow and export it under license,) It is used as
Methadone replacement
in New Zealand. It is legal to import it and use
in this country though it is currently on the DEA watch list. It is not classed as a narcotic but it hits the same receptors. It is not as euphoric as 'real' opiates unless you are opiate 'naive'. I used it abstemiously after my Methadone/Sub.