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Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

1971 c. 38 · Enacted 27 May 1971 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 15 January 2025.

An Act to make new provision with respect to dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs and related matters, and for purposes connected therewith.

[27th May 1971]I1C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act applied (1.10.1996) by 1955 c. 18, s.34A(2) (as inserted by 1996 c. 46, s. 32(1)); S.I. 1996/2474, arts.2,3

Act applied (1.10.1996) by 1955 c. 19, s.34A(2) as inserted by 1996 c. 46, s. 32(2); S.I. 1996/2474, arts.2, 3

Act applied (1.10.1996) by 1957 c. 53, s.12A as inserted by 1996 c. 46, s. 32(3); S.I. 1996/2474, arts.2, 3

Commencement

I1

Act not in force at Royal Assent, see s.40; Act wholly in force at 1 July 1973.

Contents

  1. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
  2. 1The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
  3. Controlled drugs and their classification
  4. 2Controlled drugs and their classification for purposes of this Act.
  5. 2ATemporary class drug orders
  6. 2BOrders under section 2A: role of Advisory Council etc
  7. Restrictions relating to controlled drugs etc.
  8. 3Restriction of importation and exportation of controlled drugs.
  9. 4Restriction of production and supply of controlled drugs.
  10. 4AAggravation of offence of supply of controlled drug
  11. 5Restriction of possession of controlled drugs.
  12. 6Restriction of cultivation of cannabis plant.
  13. 7Authorisation of activities otherwise unlawful under foregoing provisions.
  14. 7ATemporary class drug orders: power to make further provision
  15. Miscellaneous offences involving controlled drugs etc.
  16. 8Occupiers etc. of premises to be punishable for permitting certain activities to take place there.
  17. 9Prohibition of certain activities etc. relating to opium.
  18. 9AProhibition of supply etc. of articles for administering or preparing controlled drugs.
  19. Powers of Secretary of State for preventing misuse of controlled drugs
  20. 10Power to make regulations for preventing misuse of controlled drugs.
  21. 11Power to direct special precautions for safe custody of controlled drugs to be taken at certain premises.
  22. 12Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc. of controlled drugs by practitioners etc. convicted of certain offences.
  23. 13Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc. of controlled drugs by practitioners in other cases.
  24. 14Investigation where grounds for a direction under s. 13 are considered to exist.
  25. 15Temporary directions under s. 13(2).
  26. 16Provisions supplementary to ss. 14 and 15.
  27. 17Power to obtain information from doctors, pharmacists etc. in certain circumstances.
  28. Miscellaneous offences and powers
  29. 18Miscellaneous offences.
  30. 19Attempts etc. to commit offences.
  31. 20Assisting in or inducing commission outside United Kingdom of offence punishable under a corresponding law.
  32. 21Offences by corporations.
  33. 22Further powers to make regulations.
  34. Law enforcement and punishment of offences
  35. 23Powers to search and obtain evidence.
  36. 23ATemporary class drugs: further power to search, seize and detain
  37. 24Power of arrest Repealed
  38. 25Prosecution and punishment of offences.
  39. 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  40. 27Forfeiture.
  41. Miscellaneous and supplementary provisions
  42. 28Proof of lack of knowledge etc. to be a defence in proceedings for certain offences.
  43. 29Service of documents.
  44. 30Licences and authorities.
  45. 31General provisions as to regulations.
  46. 32Research.
  47. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  48. 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  49. 35Financial provisions.
  50. 36Meaning of “corresponding law”, and evidence of certain matters by certificate.
  51. 37Interpretation.
  52. 38Special provisions as to Northern Ireland.
  53. 39Savings and transitional provisions, repeals, and power to amend local enactments.
  54. 40Short title, extent and commencement.
  55. Schedule 1: Constitution etc. of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
  56. 1Paragraph 1
  57. 2Paragraph 2
  58. 3Paragraph 3
  59. 4Paragraph 4
  60. 5Paragraph 5
  61. Schedule 2: Controlled Drugs
  62. Part I: Class A Drugs
  63. 1Paragraph 1
  64. 2Paragraph 2
  65. 3Paragraph 3
  66. 4Paragraph 4
  67. 5Paragraph 5
  68. 6Paragraph 6
  69. Part II: Class B Drugs
  70. 1Paragraph 1
  71. 2Paragraph 2
  72. 2AParagraph 2A
  73. 3Paragraph 3
  74. 4Paragraph 4
  75. Part III: Class C Drugs
  76. 1Paragraph 1
  77. 2Paragraph 2
  78. 3Paragraph 3
  79. 4Paragraph 4
  80. Part IV: Meaning of certain Expressions used in this Schedule
  81. Paragraph
  82. Schedule 3: Tribunals, Advisory Bodies and Professional Panels
  83. Part I: Tribunals
  84. Membership
  85. 1Paragraph 1
  86. Procedure
  87. 2Paragraph 2
  88. 3Paragraph 3
  89. 4Paragraph 4
  90. 5Paragraph 5
  91. 6Paragraph 6
  92. 7Paragraph 7
  93. Financial provisions
  94. 8Paragraph 8
  95. 9Paragraph 9
  96. 10Paragraph 10
  97. 11Paragraph 11
  98. Supplemental
  99. 12Paragraph 12
  100. Part II: Advisory Bodies
  101. Membership
  102. 13Paragraph 13
  103. Procedure
  104. 14Paragraph 14
  105. 15Paragraph 15
  106. Application of provisions of Part I
  107. 16Paragraph 16
  108. Part III: Professional Panels
  109. Membership
  110. 17Paragraph 17
  111. Procedure
  112. 18Paragraph 18
  113. 19Paragraph 19
  114. Application of provisions of Part I
  115. 20Paragraph 20
  116. Part IV: Application of Parts I to III to Northern Ireland
  117. 21Paragraph 21
  118. Schedule 4Prosecution and Punishment of Offences
  119. Schedule 5: Savings and Transitional Provisions
  120. 1Paragraph 1
  121. 2Paragraph 2
  122. 3Paragraph 3
  123. 4Paragraph 4
  124. 5Paragraph 5
  125. 6Paragraph 6
  126. Schedule 6Repeals.