Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

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The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971<ref name=st/> (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It represents action in line with treaty commitments under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Convention on Psychotropic Substances,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Offences under the act include:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Possession of a controlled drug unlawfully
• Possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it
• Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug (even where no charge is made for the drug)
• Allowing premises you occupy or manage to be used unlawfully for the purpose of producing or supplying controlled drugs

The act establishes the Home Secretary as the principal authority in a drug licensing system. Therefore, for example, various opiates are available legally as prescription-only medicines, and cannabis (hemp)<ref name="Canna 3"/> may be grown under licence for 'industrial purposes'. The Template:Visible anchor (SI 2001/3998),<ref name="uksi20012998">Template:UK SI</ref> created under the 1971 Act, are about licensing of production, possession and supply of substances classified under the act.

The act creates three classes of controlled substances, A, B, and C, and ranges of penalties for illegal or unlicensed possession and possession with intent to supply are graded differently within each class. The lists of substances within each class can be amended by Order in Council, so the Home Secretary can list new drugs and upgrade, downgrade or delist previously controlled drugs with less of the bureaucracy and delay associated with passing an act through both Houses of Parliament.

Critics of the act such as David Nutt say that its classification is not based on how harmful or addictive the substances are, and that it is unscientific to omit substances like tobacco and alcohol.

List of controlled drugs

These drugs are known in the UK as controlled drug, because this is the term by which the act itself refers to them. In more general terms, however, many of these drugs are also controlled by the Medicines Act 1968, there are many other drugs which are controlled by the Medicines Act but not by the Misuse of Drugs Act, and some other drugs (alcohol, for example) are controlled by other laws.

The act sets out four separate categories: Class A, Class B, Class C and temporary class drugs. Substances may be removed and added to different parts of the schedule by statutory instrument, provided a report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has been commissioned and has reached a conclusion, although the Secretary of State is not bound by the council's findings.

• Class A includes cocaine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, MDMA ("ecstasy"), methamphetamine, opium, LSD, hydrocodone, DMT, mescaline extract,Template:Efn and psilocybin/psilocin (magic mushrooms).
• Class B includes cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, ketamine, amphetamine, codeine, methcathinone, barbiturates, mephedrone, methaqualone, methylphenidate, GHB, and GBL. Any class B drug that is prepared for injections becomes a class A substance.
• Class C includes benzodiazepines, xylazine, pregabalin, and most other non-barbiturate tranquillisers; tramadol, gabapentin; anabolic steroids, nitrous oxide, khat, piperazines, and cathinone
• All other psychoactive drugs except alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco (or other nicotine preparations) are controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and Medicines Act 1968.

In reality the potential harm has little bearing on the class,<ref name="nutt's paper">Template:Cite journal</ref> which has led to dissatisfaction with drug laws.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Substances may be removed and added to different parts of the schedule by statutory instrument, provided a report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has been commissioned and has reached a conclusion, although the Secretary of State is not bound by the council's findings. This list has in practice been modified a great number of times, sometimes removing substances, but more commonly adding some; for example, many benzodiazepines became Class C drugs in 1985, and many cathinones became Class B drugs in 2010.

Glossary of terminology used in this list anabolic steroids – hormones that build muscle tissue benzodiazepines – a class of sedative/anxiolytic drugs cannabinoids – drugs that bind to cannabinoid receptors arylcyclohexamines – dissociatives which act on the NMDA receptors opioids – Drugs that bind to opioid receptors phenethylamines – psychedelics based on phenethylamine sedatives – drugs that lower arousal stimulants – drugs that heighten arousal tryptamines – psychedelics based on tryptamine

Class A drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—<ref name=ABC>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Primary source inline

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	Year added	Notes and comments
Acetorphine		opioid	1971	primarily used to sedate elephants, giraffes and rhinos
Alfentanil			1984
Allylprodine			1971
Alphacetylmethadol				synthetic
Alphameprodine
Alphamethadol
Alphaprodine
Anileridine
Benzethidine
Benzylmorphine
Betacetylmethadol
Betameprodine
Betamethadol
Betaprodine
Bezitramide	Burgodin
Bufotenin	Toad skin toxin	tryptamine		found in the skins of psychoactive toads, especially Bufo alvarius
Carfentanil	Wildnil	opioid	1986	Strongest known opioid; 10,000 times more potent than morphine, 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Used as a tranquilliser for large game (elephants etc.).
Clonitazene			1971
Coca leaf		Erythroxylum		the plant from which cocaine is derived
Cocaine	Coke, Crack, Rock, Girl, Charlie, Sniff, Snow, Packet, Blow, Whiff, Gear, Bugle, Toot, Bag, The Devil's Dandruff, Marching Powder	Tropane alkaloid
Desomorphine	Krokodil (Russian for crocodile)	opioid		Primarily used in Russia and Ukraine. Its full chemical name is dihydrodesoxymorphine, and is a 3,6 diester salt of morphine
Dextromoramide	Palfium
Diampromide
Diethylthiambutene
Difenoxin	Roskies		1975
Dihydrocodeinone O-carboxymethyloxime			1971
Dihydroetorphine		opioid (see notes)	2003	Semi-synthetic opioid; derivative of etorphine<ref name=order2003>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Dihydromorphine	Paramorphan	opioid	1971
Dimenoxadol
Dimepheptanol				an analogue of methadone
Dimethylthiambutene
Dioxaphetyl butyrate
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Drotebanol			1973
Ecgonine		precursor	1971	"and any derivative of ecgonine which is convertible to ecgonine or to cocaine"
Ethylmethylthiambutene		opioid
Eticyclidine		arylcyclohexylamine	1984
Etonitazene		opioid	1971
Etorphine				1,000–3,000 times more potent than morphine, veterinary use only for large game
Etoxeridine
Etryptamine		Tryptamine	1998	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Fentanyl	Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze	opioid	1971	Approximately 100 times the strength of morphine
Furethidine
Hydrocodone	Vicodin, Norco, Lortab
Hydromorphinol
Hydromorphone	Dilaudid, Palladone, Hymorphan, drug store heroin
Hydroxypethidine
Isomethadone				Simple positional isomer of Methadone
Ketobemidone
Levomethorphan
Levomoramide				the totally inactive isomer of dextromoramide
Levophenacylmorphan
Levorphanol	Levo-Dromoran
Lofentanil			1986
Lysergamide		ergoline	1971	a precursor to LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide	LSD, acid			"Lysergide and other N-alkyl derivatives of lysergamide"
Mescaline	Mescal	phenethylamine		found naturally in types of cactus; cacti themselves not illegal
MDMA	MD, Ecstasy (abbreviated E, X, or XTC), Molly (US), or Mandy (UK)		1977	not specifically named but covered by the ban of alkylenedioxy-substituted phenethylamines
MDA				not specifically named but covered by the ban of alkylenedioxy-substituted phenethylamines
Metazocine		opioid	1971
Methadone	Methadose, Dolophine			used in opioid replacement therapy to treat addiction
Methadyl acetate				used in treating opioid addiction, structurally related to methadone
Methamphetamine	Desoxyn, Crystal Meth, Meth, Ice, Glass, Tina, Crank, Gak, and others	stimulant	2006	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Methyldesorphine		opioid	1971
Methyldihydromorphine
Metopon
Morphine	MS, Dope, Hard Stuff, Miss Emma, Junk, Mister Blue, God's drug, Dreamer			Derivative of the opium poppy and powerful narcotic painkiller
Morphine diacetate	H, Heroin, Smack, Dope, Boy, Junk, Black Tar, Skag, Hero			3,6 diester salt of morphine, Morphine prodrug
Morphine methobromide				"morphine N-oxide and other pentavalent nitrogen morphine derivatives"
Myrophine
Nicomorphine				3,6 diester salt of morphine
Noracymethadol
Norlevorphanol
Normethadone
Normorphine
Norpipanone	Hexalgon	methadol
Opium	Laudanum, Pantopon	opioid mixture		milky secretion of the opium poppy – banned "whether raw, prepared or medicinal"
Oxycodone	OxyContin, Percocet	opioid		Widely used strong pain killer
Oxymorphone	Numorphan, Opana
Pethidine	Meperidine, Demerol, Dolantine
Phenadoxone
Phenampromide
Phenazocine				Discontinued in 2001
Phencyclidine	Angel Dust, PCP	arylcyclohexylamine	1979
Phenomorphan		opioid	1971
Phenoperidine
Piminodine
Piritramide	Dipidolor
Poppy-straw		Papaver somniferum		"Poppy-straw and concentrate of poppy-straw."
Proheptazine		opioid
Properidine
Psilocin		Tryptamine		Psychoactive ingredient found in most psychedelic mushrooms; includes the prodrug psilocybin.
Psilocybin mushroom	Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms	fungi	2005	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Racemethorphan		opioid mixture	1971	Racemic mixture of Dextromethorphan (DXM) and Levomethorphan
Racemoramide
Racemorphan
Remifentanil		opioid	2003	<ref name=order2003 /> Strong painkiller; cannot be used without plasma infusion equipment
Rolicyclidine	PCPy	arylcyclohexylamine	1984	Very similar to phencyclidine (PCP)
Sufentanil	Sufenta	opioid	1983
Tenocyclidine	TCP	arylcyclohexylamine	1984	Very similar to phencyclidine (PCP), but considerably more potent
Tapentadol	Nucynta	opioid	2009	Dual action as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Thebacon	Acedicone		1971
Thebaine
Tilidate	Valtran		1983
Trimeperidine			1971
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine	DOB	phenethylamine	1975	a drug of the DOx family
4-Cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylbutane		opioid (see note)	1971	Methadone intermediate
4-Cyano-1-methyl-4-phenyl-piperidine				Intermediate chemical in generation of the opioid, Pethidine
N,N-Diethyltryptamine	DET, T-9	tryptamine
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine	DMT, Changa			Intense psychedelic drug
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine	DOM	phenethylamine		a drug of the DOx family.
N-Hydroxy-tenamphetamine	MDOH	stimulant	1990
1-Methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid	Pethidinic acid	precursor	1971
2-Methyl-3-morpholino-1,1-diphenylpropanecarboxylic acid		opioid (see notes)		Converted in the body into the opioid Moramide
4-Methyl-aminorex	Ice	stimulant	1990
4-Methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-amine	Serotoni, 4,4'-DMAR		2015<ref name="MT-45statinst">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="MT45 press release">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
1-Cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine	MT-45	opioid
4-Phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester	Norpethidine	opioid (see notes)	1971	Commonly used in the production of Pethidine, although it has little opioid activity in its own right

N.B. Sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) were added in 1977,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) were added in 1986. Sub-paragraph (ba) was subsequently added in 2001.<ref name=order2001>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

(b) any compound structurally derived from tryptamine or from a ring-hydroxy tryptamine by modification.

(ba) a number of phenethylamine derivatives.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

(c) compounds structurally derived from phenethylamine an N-alkylphenethylamine, a methylphenethylamine, an N-alkyl-α-methylphenethylamine, an ethylphenethylamine, or an N-alkyl-α-ethylphenethylamine by certain modifications.

(d) compounds structurally derived from fentanyl by certain modifications.

(e) compounds structurally derived from pethidine by certain modifications.

(ea) any compound with a maximum molecular mass of 500 atomic mass units and structurally derived from 2-(2-benzyl-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethanamine.

(f) any compound structurally derived from mescaline, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-α-methylphenethylamine, 2,5-dimethoxy-α,4-dimethylphenethylamine, N-hydroxytenamphetamine (N-hydroxy-MDA), or a compound specified in sub-paragraph (ba) or (c) above, by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the amino group with a benzyl substituent, whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring of the benzyl group to any extent.

2. Any stereoisomeric of a class A substance, exluding dextromethorphan or dextrorphan.

3. Any ester or ether of a class A substance (that is not listed as a class B substance).

4. Any salt of a class A substance.

5. Any preparation or other product containing a class A substance

6. Any preparation of a class B substance designed for administration by injection.

Class B drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—<ref name=ABC />Template:Primary source inline

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	Year added	Notes and comments
Acetyldihydrocodeine		opioid	1971
Amphetamine	Adderall, Speed, whizz	stimulant
Codeine	Purple drank, Lean, Wock	opioid		legal without prescription in quantities of up to 12.8 mg per dosage unit or 15 mg/5 ml in oral solution and only in combination with other drug. UK Codeine law
Cannabinol and derivatives		cannabinoid, psychoactive	2009	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> and upgraded to class B in 2009<ref name="Canna 2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Legalised for medicinal use in July 2018, and law excludes cannabidiol entirely)
Cannabis	Cannabis, Green, Hash, Marijuana, Pot, Puff, Gas, Bud, Skunk, Ganja, Weed (among others)	cannabinoid, psychedelic		All cannabis varieties, including those grown as hemp, are controlled under the act, not just drug varieties Downgraded from class B to class C in 2004<ref name="Canna 1"/> and upgraded to class B in 2009<ref name="Canna 2"/>
Dihydrocodeine	Paracodine, Synalgos DC	opioid	1971	legal in amounts up to 30 mg prescribed by doctor in tablet form and compounded with an adjunct non-opioid such as paracetamol.
Ethylmorphine	Codethyline
Glutethimide	Doriden	sedative	1985
Ketamine	Ketalar, Special K, Ket, Kenny, Kenneth, horse tranquilliser	sedative	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to class B in 2014<ref name="Ketamine amendment 2014">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||Used by Doctors on Air Ambulance duties to provide pain relief for serious or life-threatening injuries in extreme circumstances, when casualty sedation is required prior to a potential RSI.
Lefetamine		stimulant	1985
Lisdexamfetamine	Elvanse in the UK, Vyvanse in the US		2014<ref name="Ketamine amendment 2014"/>
Mecloqualone		sedative	1984
a-Methylphenethylhydroxylamine			2001	<ref name=order2001 />
Methaqualone	Ludes, Mandrake, Mandrax, Quaalude	sedative	1984
Methcathinone		stimulant	1998	<ref name=order1998 />
Methoxetamine		dissociative	2013	<ref>MXE ceased to be covered by the temporary prohibition on 26 February 2013, when it became classified as a Class B drug</ref>
4–Methylmethcathinone	MCAT, Mephedrone, Meow Meow, Bath Salts	stimulant	2010	<ref>Mephedrone ban comes into force in UK</ref>
Methylone	M1
Methylphenidate	Ritalin, Concerta		1971
Methylphenobarbitone		sedative	1984
Naphyrone	NRG-1	stimulant	2010
Nicocodeine		opioid	1971
Nicodicodine			1973
Norcodeine			1971
Pentazocine	Talwin, Fortal		1985
Phenmetrazine	Preludin	stimulant	1971
Pholcodine		opioid
Propiram			1973
Zipeprol			1998	<ref name=order1998 />

(aa)<ref name=order2010>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Compounds structurally derived from 2–amino–1–phenyl–1–propanone by certain modifications.

(ab)<ref name=order2010 /> Compounds structurally derived from 2–aminopropan–1–one by certain modifications.

(b) any 5,5 disubstituted barbituric acid.

(c)<ref name=order2013>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and (ca)<ref name=order2016>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A number of categories of synthetic cannabinoids.

(d)<ref name=order2013 /> 1-Phenylcyclohexylamine or compounds structurally derived from 1-phenylcyclohexylamine or 2-amino-2-phenylcyclohexanone by certain modifications (that are not already class A substances).

(e) Any compound structurally derived from 1-benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran, 1H-indole, indoline, 1H-indene, or indane by certain modifications.

2. Any stereoisomeric form of a class B substance.

3. Any salt of a class B substance.

4. Any preparation or other product containing a class B substance, exluding those designed for administration by injection which are class A.

Class C drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—<ref name=ABC />Template:Primary source inline

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	Year added	Notes and comments
Adinazolam	Deracyn	benzodiazepine	2017
Alprazolam	Xanax		1985
Aminorex		stimulant	1998	<ref name=order1998 />
Benzphetamine	Didrex		1971	metabolised into amphetamine and methamphetamine
Bromazepam	Lexotan	benzodiazepine	1985
Brotizolam	Lendormin		1998	<ref name=order1998 />
Buprenorphine	Subutex, Buprenex	opioid	1989	used for opioid replacement therapy to treat addiction
Camazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Cathine		stimulant	1986	Khat (Catha edulis), the plant in which Cathine originates, is now also illegal in the UK<ref name=Klein>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Warfa>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Cathinone				Khat (Catha edulis), the plant in which Cathinone originates, is now also illegal in the UK<ref name="Klein" /><ref name="Warfa" />
Chlordiazepoxide	Librium	benzodiazepine	1985
Chlorphentermine	Apsedon	stimulant	1971
Clobazam	Frisium	benzodiazepine	1985
Clorazepic acid	Tranxène
Clonazepam	Rivotril, Klonopin
Clotiazepam	Clozan
Cloxazolam
Delorazepam
Dextropropoxyphene	Darvon, Depronal	opioid	1983
Diazepam	Valium	benzodiazepine	1985
Diethylpropion		stimulant	1984
Estazolam	ProSom	benzodiazepine	1985
Ethchlorvynol	Placidyl	sedative
Ethinamate
Etilamfetamine		stimulant	1986
Ethyl loflazepate		benzodiazepine	1985
Fencamfamine		stimulant	1971	Removed from the schedule in 1973, added to the schedule again in 1986
Fenethylline			1986
Fenproporex
Fludiazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Flunitrazepam	Rohypnol
Flurazepam	Dalmane, Staurodorm
Gabapentin<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Neurontin || Gabapentinoid || 2019 ||
gamma-Butyrolactone	GBL	sedative	2009	Metabolised to GHB in the body. Classified in December 2009<ref>The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2009 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2009/9780111486610/contents</ref>
Halazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Haloxazolam
Ketazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Loprazolam	Dormonoct
Lorazepam	Ativan
Lormetazepam	Noctamid, Loramet
Mazindol		stimulant
Medazepam		benzodiazepine
Mefenorex		stimulant	1986	amphetamine derivative, metabolises to amphetamine
Mephentermine			1971
Meprobamate	Miltown	sedative	1985
Mesocarb		stimulant	1998	<ref name=order1998 /> used to counteract the effects of benzodiazepines
Methyprylone		sedative	1985
Midazolam	Versed	benzodiazepine	1990
Nitrous Oxide	Whippets	Psychedelic	2023
Nimetazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Nitrazepam	Mogadon
Nordazepam	Calmday
Oxazepam	Seresta
Oxazolam
Pemoline		stimulant	1989
Phendimetrazine	Bontril		1971
Phentermine	Fastin, Ionamin		1985
Pinazepam		benzodiazepine
Pipradrol		stimulant	1971
Propylhexedrine			1971	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Prazepam	Lysanxia	benzodiazepine	1985
Pregabalin	Lyrica	gabapentinoid	2019
Pyrovalerone		stimulant	1986
Temazepam	Restoril, jellies	benzodiazepine	1985	becomes class A when prepared for injection
Tetrazepam
Tramadol		opioid	2014	<ref name="Ketamine amendment 2014" /> Also functions as a weak SNRI.
Triazolam	Halcion	benzodiazepine	1985
Zaleplon	Sonata	nonbenzodiazepine	2014	<ref name="Ketamine amendment 2014" />
Zolpidem	Ambien		2003	<ref name=order2003 />
Zopiclone	Imovane		2014	<ref name="Ketamine amendment 2014" />

N.B. Sub-paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) all refer to anabolic steroids that were banned in 1996<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (unless referenced otherwise):

(b) Template:Div col

• 4-Androstene-3,17-dione<ref name=order2003 />
• 5-Androstene-3,17-diol<ref name=order2003 />
• Atamestane
• Bolandiol
• Bolasterone
• Bolazine
• Boldenone
• Bolenol
• Bolmantalate
• Calusterone
• 4-Chloromethandienone
• Clostebol
• Desoxymethyltestosterone
• Dienedione<ref name=order2016 />
• Drostanolone
• Enestebol
• Epitiostanol
• Ethyloestrenol
• Fluoxymesterone
• Formebolone
• Furazabol
• Mebolazine
• Mepitiostane
• Mesabolone
• Mestanolone
• Mesterolone
• Methandienone
• Methandriol
• Methenolone
• Methyltestosterone
• Metribolone
• Mibolerone
• Nandrolone
• 19-Nor-4-Androstene-3,17-dione<ref name=order2003 />
• 19-Nor-5-Androstene-3,17-diol<ref name=order2003 />
• Norboletone
• Norclostebol
• Norethandrolone
• Ovandrotone
• Oxabolone
• Oxandrolone
• Oxymesterone
• Oxymetholone
• Prasterone
• Propetandrol
• Quinbolone
• Roxibolone
• Silandrone
• Stanolone
• Stanozolol
• Stenbolone
• Testosterone
• Thiomesterone
• Trenbolone

(c) Compounds structurally derived from 17-hydroxyandrostan-3-one or from 17-hydroxyestran-3-one by certain modifications, excluding Trilostane or a compounds listed above.

(ca) 1–benzylpiperazine or compounds structurally derived from 1–benzylpiperazine or 1–phenylpiperazine by certain modifications.

(d) any substance which is an ester and/or ether of a substance specified in (b) or (c) above.

(e)

• Chorionic gonadotropin
• Clenbuterol
• Non-human chorionic gonadotrophin
• Somatotropin
• Somatrem
• Somatropin

Derivatives and analogues

The act contains several references to "derivatives" of compounds but the extent of this term is not fully clarified. Where unspecified it is thought to indicate derivatives which can be made from the specified compound in a single synthetic step, although such a definition would indicate that alkyllysergamide analogues would be uncontrolled. Where the derivatives are specified to be "structural derivatives" there is precedent that the statute applies whenever the structure could be converted to the specified derivatives in any number of synthetic steps.<ref>Forensic Chemistry of Substance Misuse : A Guide to Drug Control Edition by Leslie A. King (2009)</ref>

Penalties

The penalties for drug offences depend on the class of drug involved. These penalties are enforced against those who do not have a valid prescription or licence to possess the drug in question. Thus, it is not illegal for someone to possess heroin, a Class A drug, so long as it was administered to them legally (by prescription).

Class A drugs attract the highest penalty, and imprisonment is both "proper and expedient".<ref>R v Aramah (1982) 4 Cr App R (S) 407, per Lord Lane CJ</ref> The maximum penalties possible are as follows:<ref>Class A, B and C drugs, Home Office website, accessed 27 January 2009 Template:Webarchive</ref>

Offence	Court	Class A	Class B/Temporary class	Class C
Possession	Magistrates	6 months / £5000 fine	3 months / £2500 fine	3 months / £500 fine
	Crown	7 years / unlimited fine	5 years / unlimited fine	2 years / unlimited fine
Supply and possession with intent to supply	Magistrates	6 months / £5000 fine	6 months / £5000 fine	3 months / £2000 fine
	Crown	Life<ref>Increased from 14 years to life in 1985: Controlled Drugs (Penalties) Act 1985.</ref> / unlimited fine	14 years / unlimited fine	14 years / unlimited fine

International cooperation

The act makes it a crime to assist in, incite, or induce, the commission of an offence, outside the UK, against another nation's corresponding law on drugs. A corresponding law is defined as another country's law "providing for the control and regulation in that country of the production, supply, use, export and import of drugs and other substances in accordance with the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs" or another drug control treaty to which the UK and the other country are parties. An example might be lending money to a United States drug dealer for the purpose of violating that country's Controlled Substances Act.

History

The Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act 1964 controlled amphetamines in the United Kingdom in advance of international agreements and was later used to control LSD.

Before 1971, the UK had a relatively liberal drugs policy and it was not until United Nations influence had been brought to bear that controlling incidental drug activities was employed to effectively criminalise drugs use. It is noted that bar the smoking of opium and cannabis; section 8, part d, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was not an offence (relating to the prosecution of the owner of a premises/building inside of which controlled drugs were being used). Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was amended by regulation 13 of Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 (SI 1985/2066)<ref>http://www.drugshelp.info/downloads/modr1985.pdf The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985</ref> and section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These amendments were however repealed in 2005 by Schedule 1 (part 6) of the Drugs Act 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The current section 8 covers: people knowingly allowing premises they own, manage, or have responsibility for, to be used by any other person for:

• administration or use of any controlled drug
• supply of any controlled drug
• the production or cultivation of controlled drugs, (such as growing cannabis, making crystal meth, preparing magic mushrooms).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Criticism and controversy

Notable criticism of the act includes:

• Drug classification: making a hash of it?, Fifth Report of Session 2005–06, House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, which said that the present system of drug classification is based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse, David Nutt, Leslie A. King, William Saulsbury, Colin Blakemore, The Lancet, 24 March 2007, said the act is "not fit for purpose" and "the exclusion of alcohol and tobacco from the Misuse of Drugs Act is, from a scientific perspective, arbitrary."<ref name="pmid17382831">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Transform Drug Policy Foundation offers rational criticism of the harms caused by the Government's current prohibitionist drug policy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Drug Equality Alliance (DEA) has launched legal actions against the UK Government's partial and unequal administration of the Act's discretionary powers, making particular reference to the arbitrary exclusion of alcohol and tobacco on the subjective grounds of historical and cultural precedents contrary to the Act's policy and objects.<ref name="DEA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Following the release of the Cambridge Two – Ruth Wyner and John Brock – who had been convicted under Section 8 of the Act in 1999, a campaign calling for an overhaul of the Act was backed by Michael Winner, Julie Christie, and Tom Stoppard in response to the original conviction.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Classification of cannabis has become especially controversial. In 2004, cannabis<ref name="Canna 3">All varieties of cannabis, including those grown as hemp, are controlled under the act, not just drug varieties.</ref> was reclassified from class B to class C,<ref name="Canna 1"/> in accordance with advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). In 2009, it was returned to class B,<ref name="Canna 2"/> against ACMD advice.

In February 2009 the UK government was accused by its most senior expert drugs adviser Professor David Nutt of making a political decisions with regard to drug classification in rejecting the scientific advice to downgrade ecstasy from a class A drug. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report on ecstasy, based on a 12-month study of 4,000 academic papers, concluded that it is nowhere near as dangerous as other class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, and should be downgraded to class B. The advice was not followed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Jacqui Smith, then Home Secretary, was also widely criticised by the scientific community for bullying Professor David Nutt into apologising for his comments that, in the course of a normal year, more people died from falling off horses than died from taking ecstasy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Professor Nutt was later sacked by Alan Johnson (Jacqui Smith's successor as Home Secretary); Johnson saying "It is important that the government's messages on drugs are clear and as an advisor you do nothing to undermine public understanding of them. I cannot have public confusion between scientific advice and policy and have therefore lost confidence in your ability to advise me as Chair of the ACMD."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In May 2011, a report named Taking Drugs Seriously was released by Demos. It discusses several issues with the current system, since its enactment in 1971. It states that the constant presence of new drugs will make it difficult for the government to keep up with the latest situation - over 600 drugs are now classified under the act. Comparison levels of harm previously demonstrated by David Nutt show that alcohol and tobacco were among the most lethal, while some class A drugs, such as MDMA, LSD, and magic mushrooms, were among the least harmful.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Use of controlled substances for research

A common misunderstanding amongst researchers is that most national laws (including the Misuse for Drugs Act) allows the use of small amounts of a controlled substance for non-clinical / non-in vivo research without licences. A typical use case might be having a few milligrams or microlitres of a controlled substance within larger chemical collections (often tens of thousands of chemicals) for in vitro screening. Researchers often believe that there is some form of "research exemption" for such small amounts. This incorrect view may be further re-enforced by R&D chemical suppliers often stating and asking scientists to confirm that anything bought is for research use only.

A further misconception is that the Misuse of Drugs Act simply lists a few hundred substances (e.g. MDMA, Fentanyl, Amphetamine, etc.) and compliance can be achieved via checking a CAS number, chemical name or similar identifier. However, the reality is that in most cases all ethers, esters, salts and stereo isomers are also controlled and it is impossible to simply list all of these. The act contains several "generic statements" or "chemical space" laws, which aim to control all chemicals similar to the "named" substance, these provide detailed descriptions similar to Markushes, a good example of a few of these are found in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (amendment) order 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Due to this complexity in legislation the identification of controlled chemicals in research is often carried out computationally, either by in house systems maintained a company's sample logistics department or by the use of commercial software solutions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Automated systems are often required as many research operations can often have chemical collections running into 10Ks of molecules at the 1–5 mg scale, which are likely to include controlled substances, especially within medicinal chemistry research, even if the core research of the company is not narcotic or psychotropic drugs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These may not have been controlled when created, but they have subsequently been declared controlled, or fall within chemical space close to known controlled substances.

There are no specific research exemptions in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. However, the associated Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3998)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> does exempt products containing less than 1 mg of a controlled substance (1 μg for lysergide and derivatives) so long as a number of requirements are met, including that it cannot be recovered by readily applicable means, does not pose a risk to human health and is not meant for administration to a human or animal.

Although this does at first seem to allow research use, in most circumstances the sample, by definition, is "recoverable" - in order to prepare it for use the sample is "recovered" into an assay buffer or solvent such as DMSO or water. In 2017 the Home Office also confirmed that the 1 mg limit applies to the total of all preparations across the entire container in the case of sample microtitre plates.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Given this, most companies and researchers choose not to rely on this exemption.

However according to Home Office licensing, "University research departments generally do not require licences to possess and supply drugs in schedules 2, 3, 4 part I, 4 part II and schedule 5, but they do require licences to produce any of those drugs and to produce, possess and/or supply drugs in schedule 1".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• Cannabis in the United Kingdom
• Controlled Drug in the United Kingdom
• Crime in the United Kingdom
• Dangerous Drugs (Supply to Addicts) Regulations 1968
• Drug policy of the United Kingdom
• Drug-related deaths in the United Kingdom
• Temporary class drug

External links

• Template:Wikisource-inline
• Template:Wikinews inline
• The text of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – Office of Public Sector Information
• Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as amended
• UK Misuse of Drugs Act, Steve Chapman website
• Controlled Drugs, Patient UK website
• Schedules and structures Template:Webarchive of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – Isomer Design