ISSUES
: Drugs
Chapter 2: UK drug laws
22
Drugs penalties
T
he
penalties
depend on which
drug and the
amount you have, and
whether you are also
dealing or producing
the drug. The most
severe penalty can be an
unlimited fine and life in
prison.
Types of drugs
The maximum penalties
for drug possession,
supply (dealing) and
production depend on
what type or ‘class’ the
drug is.
Possessing drugs
You may be charged with
possessing an illegal
substance if you’re caught
with drugs, whether
they’re yours or not.
If you’re under 18, the
police are allowed to tell
your parent, guardian or
carer that you’ve been
caught with drugs.
Your penalty will depend
on:
Ö
Ö
the
class
and
quantity of drug
Ö
Ö
where you and the
drugs were found
Ö
Ö
your personal history (previous crimes, including
any previous drug offences)
Ö
Ö
other aggravating or mitigating factors.
Cannabis
Police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of
£90 if you’re found with cannabis.
Khat
Police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of
£60 on the first 2 times that you’re found with khat. If
you’re found with khat more than twice, you could get
a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, an
unlimited fine, or both.
Dealing or supplying drugs
The penalty is likely to be more severe if you are found
to be supplying or dealing drugs. Sharing drugs is also
considered supplying.
The police will probably charge you if they suspect
you of supplying drugs. The amount of drugs found
and whether you have a criminal record will affect your
penalty.
Ö
Ö
The above information is reprinted with kind
permission from GOV.UK.
© Crown copyright 2016
Class
Drug
Possession Supply and
production
A
Crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy
(MDMA), heroin, LSD, magic
mushrooms, methadone,
methamphetamine (crystal meth)
Up to seven
years in
prison, an
unlimited fine
or both
Up to life in
prison, an
unlimited fine or
both
B
Amphetamines, barbiturates,
cannabis, codeine, ketamine,
methylphenidate (Ritalin), synthetic
cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones
(e.g. mephedrone, methoxetamine)
Up to five
years in
prison, an
unlimited fine
or both
Up to 14 years
in prison, an
unlimited fine or
both
C
Anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines
(diazepam), gamma hydroxybutyrate
(GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL),
piperazines (BZP), khat
Up to two
years in
prison, an
unlimited
fine or both
(except
anabolic
steroids - it’s
not an offence
to possess
them for
personal use)
Up to 14 years
in prison, an
unlimited fine or
both
Temporary
class
drugs*
Some methylphenidate substances
(3,4-dichloromethylphenidate (3,4-
DCMP), methylnaphthidate (HDMP-
28), isopropylphenidate (IPP or
IPPD), 4-methylmethylphenidate,
ethylnaphthidate, propylphenidate)
and their simple derivatives
None, but
police can
take away a
suspected
temporary
class drug
Up to 14 years
in prison, an
unlimited fine or
both
*The government can ban new drugs for one year under a ‘temporary banning order’
while they decide how the drugs should be classified.
