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• Drug Facts:

The Law on Drugs

Class A
attracts the most serious punishments and fines.

Class A drugs include :

• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Ecstasy
• LSD
• Magic Mushrooms

Conviction for possession, in a Crown Court, can lead to a maximum seven year prison sentence and a fine.

The maximum penalty for trafficking is life imprisonment plus a fine.

Class B

Class B drugs include :

• Amphetamines (non-injection)
• Barbiturates

The maximum penalty for possession of a Class B drug, if the case reaches Crown Court, is five years, plus a fine.

For trafficking, the sentence can be up to 14 years, plus a fine.

Class C

Class C drugs include :

• Mild amphetamines
• Tranquillisers
• Anabolic steroids
• Cannabis

Class C, the lowest class of drugs.

Maximum sentences are two years for possession and five years for trafficking.

Under the change announced by the Home Secretary, possession of cannabis would remain a criminal offence and would still carry the maximum sentences for Class C drugs.

But if a person was stopped by the police and found to have cannabis on them, they could be given a warning, a caution or a summons to court.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is an offence:

• to unlawfully possess a controlled drug
• to possess a controlled drug with intent to supply it
• to unlawfully supply (sell/give/share) a controlled drug
• to allow premises you occupy or manage to be used for the smoking or use of drugs

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