Resumen
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 introduced a blanket ban on the production, supply, and import of psychoactive substances ('legal highs') in the UK. Rather than listing individual substances, it defines 'psychoactive substance' broadly and then exempts legitimate substances.
Puntos clave
- Blanket ban approach — covers any substance capable of producing a psychoactive effect, with specific exemptions
- Exempted substances: controlled drugs (covered by MDA 1971), alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine, food, and medicinal products
- Offences: production, supply, offering to supply, possession with intent to supply, and importation
- Simple possession is not an offence (unlike controlled drugs under MDA 1971)
- Prohibition orders and premises orders — civil powers to close premises used for supply
- Maximum 7 years' imprisonment for production or supply