First 'legal high' to be banned under new powers

A new temporary control power will be used for the first time to ban so-called legal high 'mexxy', the Home Office announced today. Crime minister Lord Henley will introduce the first Temporary Class Drug Order (TCDO) on methoxetamine (also known as mexxy and MXE) after a recommendation from independent drugs experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

Sentencing Council - new definitive guideline on drug offences.

This guideline on drug offences applies to all offenders aged 18 and over regardless of the date of their offence and comes into effect from 27 February 2012.

This replaces the guidelines for the above offences in the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines, with effect from 27 February 2012.It will bring sentencing guidance together for the first time to help to ensure consistent and proportionate sentencing for all drug offences that come before courts in England and Wales.

Mephedrone is a controlled drug

The government announced that it is has banned mephedrone and related cathinones under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Harmful ‘legal highs’ banned

Update 22-7-11. As from today , the UK Border Agency will seize and destroy shipments of phenazepam. The government will also take steps to control the so-called legal high as class C drug when Parliament returns. More Here.

Several chemicals used on herbal smoking products and other so called ‘legal highs’, have been made illegal. (December 2009).

The list includes the chemical solvent GBL. Some of the substances have similar effects to stimulants or depressant illegal drugs.