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Jo · 09-09-2003, 11:48

OK, just to end YOUR debate Harry, here is an article which states that drugtaking is NOT strictly illegal. Please refer to 1971 Act.

Drugs and the law Quoted from THE GUARDIAN

Special report: drugs

Is it illegal to take drugs?
In the UK it is not strictly illegal to take drugs, only to unlawfully produce them, have them in your possession or pass them to someone else.
What does the law say?
The law prohibits possession and supply, with harsher penalties for the latter. The central legislation aimed at impeding drug taking is the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) which divided drugs into three categories (A-C) depending on how dangerous they were perceived to be at that time.
What are Class A drugs?
These include heroin, methadone, cocaine, processed magic mushrooms and LSD. They are believed to be the most dangerous and therefore carry the highest penalties.
What about Class B and C drugs? Amphetamine sulphate (speed) is a class B drug. Class C drugs include mild amphetamines, cannabis, tranquillisers (such as temazepam, Valium) and anabolic steroids. ·
What are "controlled drugs"?
The drugs already mentioned are known as controlled drugs because of their addictive nature or where they are known to cause other social harm. There are nearly 200 named substances that fall under this category plus numerous chemical variations.
Some drugs have medicinal properties - how does this fit in with the law?
One of the most difficult balancing acts of creating drug legislation is to stop misuse without prohibiting correct usage, as the vast majority of drugs have medicinal properties. Sufferers of diseases such as multiple sclerosis claim to be able to use it to manage pain.
Within the current drugs laws are five "schedules", which list drugs according to who may lawfully produce, import, export, possess or supply them. For example, some class C drugs are legal to possess. Temazepam, for example, is a Class C drug, listed under schedule 4. It may be possessed, provided it is in a medicinal form.

09-09-2003, 11:48	#74
Jo Full Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 394 Liked: 1 times Rep Power: 1529	Re: Waccy Baccy in Accy OK, just to end YOUR debate Harry, here is an article which states that drugtaking is NOT strictly illegal. Please refer to 1971 Act. Drugs and the law Quoted from THE GUARDIAN Special report: drugs Is it illegal to take drugs? In the UK it is not strictly illegal to take drugs, only to unlawfully produce them, have them in your possession or pass them to someone else. What does the law say? The law prohibits possession and supply, with harsher penalties for the latter. The central legislation aimed at impeding drug taking is the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) which divided drugs into three categories (A-C) depending on how dangerous they were perceived to be at that time. What are Class A drugs? These include heroin, methadone, cocaine, processed magic mushrooms and LSD. They are believed to be the most dangerous and therefore carry the highest penalties. What about Class B and C drugs? Amphetamine sulphate (speed) is a class B drug. Class C drugs include mild amphetamines, cannabis, tranquillisers (such as temazepam, Valium) and anabolic steroids. · What are "controlled drugs"? The drugs already mentioned are known as controlled drugs because of their addictive nature or where they are known to cause other social harm. There are nearly 200 named substances that fall under this category plus numerous chemical variations. Some drugs have medicinal properties - how does this fit in with the law? One of the most difficult balancing acts of creating drug legislation is to stop misuse without prohibiting correct usage, as the vast majority of drugs have medicinal properties. Sufferers of diseases such as multiple sclerosis claim to be able to use it to manage pain. Within the current drugs laws are five "schedules", which list drugs according to who may lawfully produce, import, export, possess or supply them. For example, some class C drugs are legal to possess. Temazepam, for example, is a Class C drug, listed under schedule 4. It may be possessed, provided it is in a medicinal form.