The Home Office has announced today that legislation has been passed to ban three former ‘legal highs’, GBL, BZP and Spice, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.The legislation will also bring 15 anabolic steroids and two growth promoters under the Act as Class C drugs.
The move follows advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).The Council is currently considering the position regarding other ‘legal highs’ such as cathinone-related products including mephedrone and will report to the government in 2010.
GBL (Gamma-butyrolactone), a chemical solvent which is converted into the drug GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body, is now controlled alongside GHB as a Class C drug when intended for human consumption.
The products known as Spice, synthetic cannabinoids sprayed onto herbal smoking products, are now controlled alongside cannabis in Class B.The ACMD recommended that synthetic cannabinoids should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act given concerns over the potency of the products and the risk that the way the drugs are manufactured could harm the health of users.
BZP (Benzylpiperazine) and related piperazines, stimulants which are similar to amphetamine and which had been marketed as a legal alternative to ecstasy, are now controlled as Class C drugs.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
"We are cracking down on so called ‘legal highs’ which are an emerging threat, particularly to young people. That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from today with ground- breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds.
"We are sending out a clear message to anyone who is thinking about experimenting with them, particularly over the festive period, that not only are they putting themselves in danger, they will also be breaking the law."
Police have said that their response will be proportionate and will target those who sell and produce the products.
