{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971/schedule-4",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971/schedule-4.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1971/38",
  "legislation_title": "Misuse of Drugs Act 1971",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971",
  "path": "schedule/4",
  "kind": "schedule",
  "number": "4",
  "heading": "Prosecution and Punishment of Offences",
  "text": "Section Creation Offence\nGeneral Nature of Offence\nMode of Prosecution\nPunishment\nClass A drug involved\nClass B drug involved\nClass C drug involved\nGeneral\nSection 4(2)\nProduction, or being concerned in the production, of a controlled drug.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\nLife or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 4(3)\nSupplying or offering to supply a controlled drug or being concerned in the doing of either activity by another.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\nLife or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 5(2)\nHaving possession of a controlled drug.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n3 months or £1,000, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n7 years or a fine, or both.\n5 years or a fine, or both.\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 5(3)\nHaving possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it to another.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\nLife or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 6(2)\nCultivation of cannabis plant.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 8\nBeing the occupier, or concerned in the management, of premises and permitting or suffering certain activities to take place there.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 9\nOffences relating to opium.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\nOn indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 9A.\nProhibition of supply etc. of articles for administering or preparing comtrolled drugs.\nSummary\n6 months or level 5 on the standard scale, or both.\nSection 11(2)\nContravention of directions relating to safe custody of controlled drugs.\n(a) summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 12(6)\nContravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from possessing, supplying etc. controlled drugs.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 13(3)\nContravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from prescribing, supplying etc. controlled drugs.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n3 months or £2,500, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 17(3)\nFailure to comply with notice requiring information relating to prescribing, supply etc. of drugs.\nSummary\nlevel 3 on the standard scale.\nSection 17(4)\nGiving false information in purported compliance with notice requiring information relating to prescribing, supply etc. of drugs.\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both.\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or afine, or both.\nSection 18(1)\nContravention of regulations (other than regulations relating to addicts).\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 18(2)\nContravention of terms of licence or other authority (other than licence issued under regulations relating to addicts).\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 18(3)\nGiving false information in purported compliance with obligation to give information imposed under or by virtue of regulations.\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 18(4)\nGiving false information, or producing document etc. containing false statement etc., for purposes of obtaining issue or renewal of a licence or other authority.\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 20\nAssisting in or inducing commission outside United Kingdom of an offence punishable under a corresponding law.\n(a) Summary\n12 months 6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n14 years or a fine, or both.\nSection 23(4)\nObstructing exercise of powers of search etc. or concealing books, drugs etc.\n(a) Summary\n6 months or the prescribed sum, or both\n(b) On indictment\n2 years or a fine, or both.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (N.I.) by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Sch. 4: the maximum fine which may be imposed on summary conviction shall be the prescribed sum by virtue of Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43), s. 32(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 28, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(b), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7B para. 1(1)(b) and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss.3(1), 6, Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(2) Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(c), 2 (b)(i)(ii)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Sch. 4: Words substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(2)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. II; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Word substituted by Controlled Drugs (Penalties) Act 1985 (c. 39, SIF 84), ss. 1(1), 2(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3), (4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(a); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3), (4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(b); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 28, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(c)(i), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7B para. 1(1)(c)(i) and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3(1), 6, Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(2), Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(b)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 28, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(b), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7B para. 1(1)(b) and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3(1), 6, Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(2), Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), Sch. 1 para. 1(a), 2(b)(iii)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 4 substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(2)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. II; S.I 1995/127, art. 2(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "Word substituted by Controlled Drugs (Penalties) Act 1985 (c. 39, SIF 84), ss. 1(1), 2(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(c); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 28, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(b), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7B para. 1(1)(b) and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3(1), 6, Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(2), Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(a), 2(b)(iv)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(d); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "Entry inserted by Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 (c. 32, SIF 39:1), s. 34(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 28, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(b), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7B para. 1(1)(b) and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3(1), 6, Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(2), Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(a), 2(b)(v)(vi)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(e); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 4 substituted (29.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 28 para. 1(1)-(3)(f); S.I. 2004/81, art. 4(1)(2)(k)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46, (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G and (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3, 6, Sch. 1 para. 3(1) Sch. 2 Pt.II, Sch.5 (with s. 6(2), Sch. 6) and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Sch. 4: power to amend column 5 or 6 conferred (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 46, s. 225(5)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "Sch. 4: power to amend conferred (N.I.) (3.2.1995) by S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 17(2)(k) (as inserted by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(8); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/4",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:50:00.895978+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}