Drugs & The Law

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - Maximum Penalties

• Class A Possession = 7 years imprisonment or a fine, or both. Supply = Life imprisonment or a fine, or both.



• Class B Possession = 5 years imprisonment or a fine, or both. Supply = 14 years imprisonment or a fine, or both.



• Class C Possession = 2 years imprisonment or a fine, or both. Supply = 14 years imprisonment or a fine, or both.

Drugs and the law

• It's not an offence to possess cannabis seeds, but it's illegal to grow them.


• It's not an offence to pick magic mushrooms, but it's illegal to brew, dry or cook them.


• Coke, ecstasy, LSD, magic mushrooms, heroin and speed (if prepared for injection) are all Class A drugs. Possession could get you seven years in prison.
• If you're done for supplying, you could get a life sentence.


• Even if you're just getting a couple of extra pills for your mates, in the eyes of the law, you're supplying.


• If you're going on holiday this year it's worth thinking about the penalties abroad which can be very severe - smuggling drugs can lead to life imprisonment in Cyprus and Greece and up to 20 years in Italy, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey. This really isn't a risk worth taking.

For a full breakdown of your legal rights as a citizen, take a look at our Legal section.

Or, for some real life experiences read on.

Related Links
For useful help, contacts and resources see the Further Information - Drugs section.

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