The definitive guidelines on drug offences were issued on 24 January 2012 and came into force on 27 February 2012. These guidelines were superseded in April 2021.

Revisions 2021

Revised sentencing guidelines for drug offences were issued on 27 January 2021 and came into force on 1 April 2021.

The following offences are included in the revised guidelines:

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971:

Psychoactive Substances Act 2016:

Between 15 January 2020 and 7 May 2020 the Council consulted on revisions to the drug offences guidelines and new draft guidelines covering offences provided for by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

Consultations

The consultation on the original guidelines for drug offences was open from 28 March 2011 to 20 June 2011. There were 685 responses.

Between 15 January 2020 and 7 May 2020 the Council consulted on revisions to the drug offences guidelines and new draft guidelines covering offences provided for by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. We received 43 responses.

Related documents

To support the guidelines and consultations, the Council publishes a range of documents. These documents may include consultation responses, statistical bulletins, resource and equality impact assessments and guideline assessments.

Related documents: Drug offences