Regulación de drogas y sustancias
Clasificación y control de drogas, delitos y sustancias psicoactivas.
Introducción
La regulación de drogas clasifica y controla sustancias peligrosas, tipificando delitos de posesión y tráfico.
Principios fundamentales
Classification — Class A (heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD), Class B (cannabis, amphetamines, ketamine), Class C (benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids). Penalties reflect classification.
Possession — Offence to possess a controlled drug (s.5 MDA 1971). Penalties range from up to 5 years (Class C) to 7 years (Class A).
Possession with Intent to Supply — Aggravated offence under s.5(3). Maximum life imprisonment for Class A.
Supply and Production — Offence to supply or offer to supply (s.4). Production of a controlled drug is also an offence (s.4(2)).
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 — Blanket ban on producing, supplying, or offering to supply any psychoactive substance (with exemptions for food, alcohol, tobacco, medicines, caffeine).
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders — Courts can impose DTTOs as community orders requiring offenders to undergo treatment.
Licensing — The Home Office issues licences for lawful possession and supply of controlled drugs for medical, scientific, and research purposes.
Leyes clave
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016
Medicines Act 1968
Casos principales
R v Lambert
[2001] UKHL 37
R v Hughes
[2013] UKSC 56
Escenarios comunes
Caught in possession of cannabis
Cannabis is Class B. Simple possession can result in up to 5 years' imprisonment. First offenders may receive a cannabis warning, fixed penalty notice, or caution.
Selling 'legal highs'
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 makes it an offence to produce, supply, or offer to supply any psychoactive substance. Maximum 7 years' imprisonment for supply.