Search Legislation

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2022

 Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As made)
 Help about opening options

Opening Options

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Statutory Instruments

2022 No. 322

Dangerous Drugs

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2022

Made

16th March 2022

Coming into force

13th April 2022

At the Court at Windsor Castle, the 16th day of March 2022

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

In accordance with section 2(5) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971(1), a draft of this Order has been laid before Parliament on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Accordingly, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred on Her by section 2(2) of that Act, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order as follows:

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2022 and comes into force twenty-eight days after the day on which it is made.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

2.—(1) The following amendments are made to Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

(2) In paragraph 1(a) of Part 2 (which specifies the drugs which are subject to control under that Act as Class B drugs)(2)—

(a)after “N-Benzyl-ethylphenidate.” insert “1,4-Butanediol.”;

(b)after “Ethylphenidate.” insert “Gamma-butyrolactone.”;

(c)after “Glutethimide.” insert “4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid.”.

(3) In paragraph 1(a) of Part 3 (which specifies the drugs which are subject to control under that Act as Class C drugs)(3)—

(a)omit “Gamma-butyrolactone”;

(b)omit “4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid”.

(4) In paragraph 1(b) of Part 3(4) omit “1,4-Butanediol.”.

Richard Tilbrook

Clerk of the Privy Council

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order reclassifies 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD), Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid (GHB) from Class C to Class B drugs for the purposes of control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38).

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is submitted alongside the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk. Copies may be obtained from the Home Office at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

(2)

Relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1985/1995, 2017/634.

(3)

Relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2003/1243, 2009/3209.

(4)

Amended by S.I. 2009/3209; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Memorandum

Explanatory Memorandum sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Statutory Instrument accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Statutory Instrument or Draft Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament from June 2004 onwards.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:

  • Why the government is proposing to intervene;
  • The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
  • How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
  • The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources