Laws on possession, supply of drugs

The National Health Watch

Drugs and the law – possession and supply
Most drugs come under existing laws, which makes it illegal to possess certain drugs and to supply them to others. They may be classified as class A, B or C, depending on the presumed risk of harm they may cause.
New synthetic versions of existing drugs (previously called “legal highs”) need to come under the proposed laws.
These are chemicals made to mimic the effects of existing illegal drugs, for example, cannabis or cocaine.
The proposed way forward would make it illegal to produce or supply these types of substances, or to possess them with the intention of supplying them.
The way street drugs are legally classified does not reflect how harmful they are to your mental health.
Legal, illegal and controlled drugs can all have a negative impact on you, whichever Act of Parliament they come under and whatever class they are given.

Driving

  • IT is illegal to drive if you are not fit to do so because of a drug you have taken, whether it is a legal, illegal or controlled drug; and,
  • IT is illegal to drive with an illegal drug is in your blood, whether or not it affects your driving.

Next week’s edition: Medical uses.