Misuse of Drugs Act (UK)
The primary UK legislation controlling dangerous and harmful drugs, classifying them into Classes A, B, and C based on harm potential. The associated Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 set out the conditions for lawful production, supply, and possession. This legislation is the UK's equivalent of the US Controlled Substances Act.
Technical Context
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) classifies drugs into: Class A (most harmful — heroin, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, crystal meth; maximum penalties: 7 years possession, life imprisonment supply), Class B (intermediate harm — cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates, mephedrone; max: 5 years possession, 14 years supply), Class C (least harmful of controlled drugs — anabolic steroids, GHB, some benzodiazepines; max: 2 years possession, 14 years supply). The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 create 5 Schedules determining prescribing and record-keeping requirements: Schedule 1 (no legitimate medical use — research licence required), Schedule 2 (full controlled drug requirements — safe custody, registers), Schedule 3 (safer custody, no register requirement), Schedule 4 (Part I — benzodiazepines; Part II — anabolic steroids), Schedule 5 (minimal controls — low-dose preparations). Most peptide drugs are NOT controlled under the MDA, with some exceptions for growth hormone preparations.