Drugs Misuse Act
The following table gives examples of offences and maximum penalties (years of imprisonment) that apply under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986.
Maximum penalty (years) | Offences (For drug types, schedule 1 is more serious than schedule 2. |
|---|---|
2 | Unlawfully possessing anything (other than a syringe or needle, for instance, a bong) for using a dangerous drug Offences to do with hypodermic syringes or needles – unauthorised supply for drug use, possessing without reasonable care (whether for drug use or not) and possessing one used for drugs without disposing of it legally Possessing suspected property (other than a dangerous drug, hypodermic syringe or needle) for/used in/proceeds of a defined drug offence |
15 | Supplying schedule 2 drug (simpliciter; without a circumstance of aggravation) Producing schedule 2 drug, any other case Possessing schedule 1 or 2 drug, any other case Possessing, supplying or producing relevant substances or things without a reasonable excuse (various listed substances, and things like pill presses and reaction vessels) Possessing things for use in, or used in, connection with committing a defined drug crime Occupier of a place permitting its use for a defined drug crime |
20 | Supplying schedule 1 drug (simpliciter) Supplying schedule 2 drug to minor (aged 16 or 17) or to intellectually impaired person, or person in an educational institution or correctional facility, or who does not know he or she is being supplied Receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying Producing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 amount but under schedule 4 amount and offender was a drug dependent person Producing schedule 1 drug, any other case Producing schedule 2 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 amount Publishing or possessing instructions for producing schedule 2 drug Possessing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 but under schedule 4 quantity and offender was a drug dependent person Possessing schedule 2 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 amount Trafficking in relevant substances or things |
25 | Trafficking Supplying schedule 1 drug to minor (aged 16 or 17) or to intellectually impaired person, or person in an educational institution or correctional facility, or who does not know he or she is being supplied Supplying schedule 2 drug to a minor (under 16) Producing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 4 amount Producing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 amount but under schedule 4 amount and offender was not a drug dependent person Publishing or possessing instructions for producing schedule 1 dangerous drug Possessing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 4 quantity Possessing schedule 1 drug of/exceeding schedule 3 but under schedule 4 quantity and offender was not a drug dependent person Possession of a prohibited combination of prescribed items (e.g certain chemicals) |
Life | Supplying schedule 1 drug to a minor (under 16) |
This information is not intended to provide legal advice and has been prepared for the purposes of providing information only. While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this information, no liability is assumed for any errors or omissions.