Why is methamphetamine so much more expensive than amphetamine?

Is it really that much more difficult in the chemical synthesis to methylate that amine group than stopping at amphetamine? I always see speed paste (amphetamine) and it's far cheaper than meth. Hell I just got 5 g paste from Snapback for $30, whereas meth is generally at minimum $80/g. Is it just a far more potent compound and an all around more exclusive/tweaker high only for those willing to carry around a meth monkey on their back compared to just amphetamine? I did 60 mg Vyvanse once so that's the only stimulant experience I have, haha. I'd appreciate the good minds on this forum helping me answer this one.

Basically, from a clandestine chemist's perspective, why would you not go the extra mile to convert your amphetamine to meth or rather just get to that target product another way. I just don't see it being that lucrative to synthesize amphetamine when you could be making meth and selling it for a lot more. Illegal synth is illegal synth so you may as well be making the thing that gets the most bang for the buck, even MDMA is better, but I'd imagine the toughest to synthesize even moreso than meth, although probably not that bad if you start with safrole already having that methylenedioxy component. Maybe less yield per amount of expensive precursor material used? Idk


Comments


[7 Points] Theeconomist1:

Just curious, is it possible to be a casual meth user?


[5 Points] None:

Speed doesn't compare to meth, period.

Speed paste : mild to moderate increase in confidence, focus, alertness, and self esteem, some euphoria as well. Not nearly as potent as meth by weight, drying can cut off up to 50% ime.

Methamphetamine : mild to EXTREME increase in focus, alertness, and self esteem; very intense euphoria as well. Meth doesn't even seem to have ceiling effects and the effects will get stronger until they kill you. Also, meth is typically much purer and more potent than speed.


[2 Points] roionsteroids:

Because people are willing to pay that much.

It's not much more expensive/harder to produce than plain amphetamine.


[2 Points] waitingforpopper:

When I was in rehab for heroin, all of the meth addicts would describe their love affair with meth, but all they managed to do was make it sound like the most unpleasant substance on the planet. "You stay up for days fucking yourself and cheap hookers. You grind your teeth and get super paranoid that the police are hiding everywhere, and then you start hallucinating 'death' coming after you with rattling chains! It's the best!" No thanks. Also, even a few weeks off of meth, it would still seem like they were on it, they tweaked out so badly with their motor mouths and strange delusions and perceived ability to read minds and see spirits. With heroin, the non-users would all be intrigued by the ultimate expression of the poppy's power, on the other hand.


[2 Points] gerundive:

Why is methamphetamine so much more expensive than amphetamine?

Still no definitive answer.

(Disagree with many of the posts, especially the ones by non-users. Like any drug it can be abused, and if taken regularly it will effect and change life-style. Not something I'd take two days running, or more than once or twice a year. Personally I treat it as "super-speed", stronger and lasting longer. For me, no major cons and no comedown, but it takes up to a week to get my sleeping pattern back.)


[1 Points] miketdvick:

greater BBB permeability/ potency

..blood brain barrier


[1 Points] SirDolo93:

Crystal Meth is upwords to 90% pure D-methamp, where as with normal amphetamines, which usually comes as paste, is 60-70% racemic amphetamines.

Therefore, 1 gram of Amphetamines, is ~30% d-amp. 1 gram of meth is 90% d-methamp.

The cost is actually quite close when you go by this model.

And a clandestine chemist would not take that extra mile to convert Amphetamines into Methamphetamines, because that's not how meth is made... The route to meth and normal amphetamines, are completely different,


[-5 Points] 1ugly:

Dude, if the only amphetamine experience you have had is Vyvanse then I definitely encourage you to try meth. You ended this passage with a question then IDK, calm your tits and your ADD, talking to yourself a bit much there. Some people would rather much be in the amphetamine business and not the methamphetamine business. One reason could be morals, meth destroys weak-minded lifes. Another reason could be the experience of the chemist and synth practice might be limited to amphetamine. Hope I answered some questions, stay off of meth man, pointless drug IMO and many others'