- 1. The United Kingdom Government should continue to pursue the aims of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs with the utmost vigour.
- 2. The existing classification of the drugs specified in Class A of schedule 2 to the 1971 Act is broadly correct and no change is recommended.
- 3. The existing classification of the drugs specified in Class B of schedule 2 is broadly correct except for the inclusion of cannabis and cannabis resin which should be transferred to Class C.
- 4. The existing classification of the drugs specified in Class C of schedule 2 is broadly correct except for the inclusion of methaqualone, which should be transferred to Class B.
§ 5. The penalties for the offence of unlawful possession of a controlled drug (section 5(2) of the 1971 Act) should be:
§ Class A drug involved
§ Summary: six months or £1,000, or both.
§ On indictment: seven years or a fine, or both.
§ Class B drug involved
§ Summary: three months or £500, or both.
§ On indictment: five years or a fine, or both.
§ Class C drug involved
§ Summary: £200.
§ On indictment: two years or a fine, or both.
§ 6. The penalties for unlawful trafficking in a controlled drug (sections 4(2), 4(3), 5(3) and 8 of the 1971 Act) should be:
§ Class A drug involved
§ Summary: six months or £1,000, or both.
§ On indictment: 14 years or a fine, or both.
§ Class B drug involved
§ Summary: six months or £1,000, or both.
§ On indictment: 10 years or a fine, or both.
§ Class C drug involved
§ Summary: three months or £500, or both.
583W§ On indictment: seven years or a fine, or both.
§ NoteOffences under sections 12(6) and 13(3) of the 1971 Act, contravention of a direction prohibiting a practitioner etc., from possessing, supplying, etc., controlled drugs carry the same penalties as those which we have identified as "trafficking offences". We would expect, therefore, that if any change were eventually made on the lines of this recommendation the penalties for the section 12(6) and 13(3) offences would be similarly modified.
§ 7. Section 6 of the 1971 Act, restriction of cultivation of cannabis plant, should be repealed.