Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971[1] (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is an action made because of treaty agreements under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,[2] the Convention on Psychotropic Substances,[3] and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.[4] It is used to try to stop some recreational drug use.
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make new provision with respect to dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs and related matters, and for purposes connected therewith. |
|---|---|
| Statute book chapter | 1971 c. 38 |
| Introduced by | Reginald Maudling |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal Assent | 27 May 1971 |
| Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The act makes these things illegal:[5]
- Having a controlled drug unlawfully
- Having a controlled drug to give to others
- Giving someone a controlled drug
- Letting someone in your home to make controlled drugs or giving controlled drugs to others from your home
Controlled drugs by the Act
Class A has the worst sentences while class B and C each have less. The list below is not a full list of all illegal drugs.
- Class A includes cocaine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, MDMA ("ecstasy"), methamphetamine, opium, LSD, hydrocodone, DMT, mescaline extracts,[a] and psilocybin/psilocin (including magic mushrooms).
- Class B includes cannabis, synthetic and semisynthetic cannabinoids, ketamine, amphetamine, codeine, methcathinone, barbiturates, mephedrone, methaqualone, methylphenidate, GHB, and GBL. Any class B drug that is going to be injected becomes class A substance.
- Class C includes benzodiazepines, xylazine, pregabalin, and most other non-barbiturate tranquillisers; tramadol, gabapentin; anabolic steroids, nitrous oxide, khat, substituted piperazines, and substituted cathinones.
- Other psychoactive drugs not in the act, except alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco (or other allowed nicotine products, such as electronic cigarettes) are controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and Medicines Act 1968. Some are controlled by both the Medicines and Misuse of Drugs Act.
Notes
- ↑ Plants containing mescaline not illegal, only an extract of the substance.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The citation of this act by this short title is authorised by section 40(1) of this act.
- ↑ 'Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website, accessed 6 February 2009 (2007-10-24)Unodc.org. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- ↑ 'Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website, accessed 6 February 2009 (2007-10-24)Unodc.org. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- ↑ 'Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website, accessed 6 February 2009 (2007-10-24)Unodc.org. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- ↑ 'Misuse of Drugs Act, Home Office representation of the act, Home Office website, accessed 27 January 2009Drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
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