Controlled Drug

Section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 provides that the expression "controlled drug" means any substance or product for the time being specified in the Schedule to the Act, and that the expressions "Class A drug", "Class B drug" and "Class C drug" mean any of the substances and products for the time being specified respectively in Part I, Part II and Part III of that Schedule. Government guidance lists examples in each class: Class A includes cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone, and methamphetamine; Class B includes amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, codeine, ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids; and Class C includes anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines, khat, nitrous oxide, and piperazines.

Section 5 of the Act creates the basic possession offence, providing that it shall not be lawful for a person to have a controlled drug in his possession, subject to any regulations made under section 7. Government guidance sets out the maximum penalties by class: for possession, up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both for a Class A drug, and up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both for supply or production of a Class A drug, with Class A supply/production carrying up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both, and Class B and C supply or production each carrying up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.