Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Section 25.

Schedule 4U.K. Prosecution and Punishment of Offences

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Sch. 4: power to amend column 5 or 6 conferred (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 46, s. 225(5)(d)

C2Sch. 4: power to amend conferred (N.I.) (3.2.1995) by S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 17(2)(k) (as inserted by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(8); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1)

Section Creation OffenceGeneral Nature of OffenceMode of ProsecutionPunishment
Class A drug involvedClass B drug involvedClass C drug involvedGeneral
Section 4(2)Production, or being concerned in the production, of a controlled drug.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F33 months or [F4£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment[F5Life] or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F614 years] or a fine, or both.
Section 4(3)Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug or being concerned in the doing of either activity by another.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F33 months or [F4£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment[F5Life] or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F714 years] or a fine, or both.
Section 5(2)Having possession of a controlled drug.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F83 months or [F4£2,500], or both].[F83 months or [F4£1,000], or both].
(b) On indictment7 years or a fine, or both.5 years or a fine, or both.2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 5(3)Having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it to another.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F93 months or [F10£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment[F11Life] or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F1214 years ] or a fine, or both.
Section 6(2)Cultivation of cannabis plant.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.
(b) On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.
Section 8Being the occupier, or concerned in the management, of premises and permitting or suffering certain activities to take place there.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F133 months or [F4£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F1414 years] or a fine, or both.
Section 9Offences relating to opium.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.
On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.
[F15Section 9A.][F15Prohibition of supply etc. of articles for administering or preparing comtrolled drugs.][F15Summary][F156 months or level 5 on the standard scale, or both.]
Section 11(2)Contravention of directions relating to safe custody of controlled drugs.(a) summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 12(6)Contravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from possessing, supplying etc. controlled drugs.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F163 months or [F4£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F1714 years] or a fine, or both.
Section 13(3)Contravention of direction prohibiting practitioner etc. from prescribing, supplying etc. controlled drugs.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.[F163 months or [F4£2,500], or both].
(b) On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.14 years or a fine, or both. [F1814 years ] or a fine, or both.
Section 17(3)Failure to comply with notice requiring information relating to prescribing, supply etc. of drugs.Summary[F19level 3 on the standard scale].
Section 17(4)Giving false information in purported compliance with notice requiring information relating to prescribing, supply etc. of drugs.(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both.
(b) On indictment2 years or afine, or both.
Section 18(1)Contravention of regulations (other than regulations relating to addicts).(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 18(2)Contravention of terms of licence or other authority (other than licence issued under regulations relating to addicts).(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 18(3)Giving false information in purported compliance with obligation to give information imposed under or by virtue of regulations.(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 18(4)Giving false information, or producing document etc. containing false statement etc., for purposes of obtaining issue or renewal of a licence or other authority.(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.
Section 20Assisting in or inducing commission outside United Kingdom of an offence punishable under a corresponding law.(a) Summary[F112 months ][F16 months] or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment14 years or a fine, or both.
Section 23(4)Obstructing exercise of powers of search etc. or concealing books, drugs etc.(a) Summary6 months or [F2the prescribed sum], or both
(b) On indictment2 years or a fine, or both.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in Sch. 4 substituted (N.I.) by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1(c)

F2Sch. 4: the maximum fine which may be imposed on summary conviction shall be the prescribed sum by virtue of Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43), s. 32(2)

F4Sch. 4: Words substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(2)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. II; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F10Word in Sch. 4 substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 157(2)(9), Sch. 8 Pt. II; S.I 1995/127, art. 2(1)