Drugs Law
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Controlled Drug Classes
The class of a controlled drug is intended to reflect the harm associated with it. Parliament determines the relevant class based on…
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Cultivation of Cannabis
Cultivation is the tending of plants, i.e. watering, feeding, nurturing etc. It is unlawful to cultivate any part of a cannabis plant,…
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Defence
A defence under Section 28 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 only applies to certain offences under the Act, namely: A…
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Drug Driving
It is not recommended to drive after having taken drugs as your driving might be affected, but it is now also illegal…
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Drug Scheduling
The 2001 Regulations determine in what circumstances it is lawful to possess, supply, produce, export and import controlled drugs. The authorised scope…
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Drug testing on arrest
Drug testing following arrest The police are allowed to test you for any controlled drug in the following circumstances: You must be…
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Drug Use and Debt Advice
If you are struggling with drug use and are also experiencing financial difficulties or debts owed to creditors, it is important to…
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Drug Use at Work
Drug testing Some employees will be asked to take regular or random drug tests by their employers. The reason given for this…
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Drug Use on Premises (Section 8)
Section 8 of the MDA controls the consumption (of certain controlled drugs, namely cannabis and opium), production and supply of controlled drugs…
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Importation/Exportation of Drugs
The importation or exportation of any controlled drug is prohibited unless it is done in accordance with the terms of a licence…
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List of controlled drugs
The sentences quoted in this table are maximum penalties and do not reflect the sentences imposed in the majority of drug offences.…
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Possession Offences
It is unlawful to possess a controlled drug unless you have lawful authority to do so, for example, where a controlled drug…
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Possession with Intent to Supply
It is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession, whether lawfully or not, with the intent…
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Production
The two main production offences are: Production is defined as ‘manufacturing, cultivating or production by any other method’. For example, separating those…
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Psychoactive Substances Act 2016
The Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) 2016 criminalises certain activities related to any substance which “is capable of producing a psychoactive effect in a…
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Sentencing
There is a maximum sentence for each drug offence set by law, but in practice they aren’t used very often. Sentencing for…
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Supply
There are several offences connected with the supply of drugs. The main offences are: Supply It is an offence to supply a…