After much speculation in the media before and after the election, the Queens Speech for the Opening of Parliament on 27 May 2015 contained a proposal to publish draft laws prohibiting the production, distribution, sale and supply of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) or ‘Legal Highs’
A blanket ban on legal highs, often sold online or on the high street, was in the manifestos of the two main political parties during the election.
The Psychoactive Substances Bill will be applied to “any substance intended for human consumption that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect”. Alcohol, tobacco and caffeine will be excluded, and there are also exemptions for food and medical products, while controlled drugs will continue to be regulated by existing laws.
The new laws aim to tackle the supply of NPSs, and – following the recommendations of a panel on legal highs last year – having NPSs for your own personal possession will remain legal.