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UK Act of Parliament
1971
United Kingdom
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
An Act to make new provision with respect to dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs and related matters, and for purposes connected therewith.
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
19 compliance obligations, 5 practical guides across 2 topics · 3 journeys
Penalty landscape
4 of 19 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 13 carry different penalties and 2 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 16
- Occupier 2
- Director or Officer 1
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Healthcare compliance quick check
- 1 step
Respond to a medicines or controlled drugs incident
- 1 step
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 487 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 162 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 106 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 104 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 101 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 92 duties
Occupiers also bound by 107 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 36 duties
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 29 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 22 duties
- Industrial Emissions Directive (retained EU law) 2010 19 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 14 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 166 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 51 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 34 duties
- Charities Act 2011 2011 25 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 23 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 4 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Restriction of production and supply of controlled drugs.
Life imprisonment- Produce or supply a controlled drug without authority Any Person
Restriction of possession of controlled drugs.
5 years imprisonment- Possess a controlled drug without authority Any Person
Occupiers etc. of premises to be punishable for permitting certain activities to take place there.
14 years imprisonment- Permit production, supply or use of controlled drugs on premises Occupier
Prohibition of certain activities etc. relating to opium.
Up to 5 years imprisonment- Use, possess or facilitate opium smoking Any Person
Prohibition of supply etc. of articles for administering or preparing controlled drugs.
Unlimited fine- Supply equipment for unlawful drug use Any Person
Power to direct special precautions for safe custody of controlled drugs to be taken at certain premises.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with directions for safe custody of controlled drugs Occupier
Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc. of controlled drugs by practitioners etc. convicted of certain offences.
2 years imprisonment- Contravene a direction prohibiting prescribing or supply of controlled drugs Any Person
Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc. of controlled drugs by practitioners in other cases.
Unlimited fine- Ignore a direction banning prescription of controlled drugs Any Person
Investigation where grounds for a direction under s. 13 are considered to exist.
- Respond to direction notice and make representations within 28 days Any Person
Temporary directions under s. 13(2).
- Comply with temporary restrictions on prescribing or supplying drugs Any Person
Power to obtain information from doctors, pharmacists etc. in certain circumstances.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with information request under Misuse of Drugs Act Any Person
Miscellaneous offences.
2 years imprisonment- Breach drug regulations, licence conditions or give false information Any Person
Attempts etc. to commit offences.
5 years imprisonment- Attempt or incite a drug offence Any Person
Assisting in or inducing commission outside United Kingdom of offence punishable under a corresponding law.
5 years imprisonment- Assist or induce a drug offence abroad Any Person
Offences by corporations.
Unlimited fine- Corporate liability for drug offences where directors consent or neglect Director or Officer
Powers to search and obtain evidence.
2 years imprisonment- Obstruct or fail to produce evidence to drug enforcement officials Any Person
Temporary class drugs: further power to search, seize and detain
- Intentionally obstruct a constable exercising drug search powers Any Person
Prosecution and punishment of offences.
Life imprisonment imprisonment- Breach of controlled drug or temporary class drug regulations Any Person
Forfeiture.
- Forfeit assets linked to drug offences Any Person
Browse 23 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Temporary class drug orders
Orders under section 2A: role of Advisory Council etc
Aggravation of offence of supply of controlled drug
Authorisation of activities otherwise unlawful under foregoing provisions.
Temporary class drug orders: power to make further provision
Power to make regulations for preventing misuse of controlled drugs.
Provisions supplementary to ss. 14 and 15.
Further powers to make regulations.
Power of arrest
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Proof of lack of knowledge etc. to be a defence in proceedings for certain offences.
Service of documents.
Licences and authorities.
General provisions as to regulations.
Research.
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Financial provisions.
Meaning of “corresponding law”, and evidence of certain matters by certificate.
Interpretation.
Special provisions as to Northern Ireland.
Savings and transitional provisions, repeals, and power to amend local enactments.
Short title, extent and commencement.
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Regulates medicines, medical devices, and blood components. Ensures safety, quality, and efficacy. Issues marketing authorisations.
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.