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<p>Synthetic cannabinoids are controlled as Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs
Act 1971. There is a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine,
or both for possession of a Class B drug and 14 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited
fine, or both, for the supply and production of a Class B drug.</p><p>There was a
total of 281 convictions for the principal offence of possession of synthetic cannabinoids
in 2018, up from 71 convictions in 2017 and no convictions in 2016. For the principal
offences of either supply, possession with intent to supply or production of synthetic
cannabinoids there were 18 convictions in 2018, up from 4 convictions in 2017 and
4 convictions in 2016.</p><p>The Government has commissioned the Advisory Council
on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to provide an updated harms assessment on their previous
reports on synthetic cannabinoids. The commission also seeks recommendations on whether
the current classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 of synthetic cannabinoids
is appropriate. The advice is due in summer 2020. The full commission has been published
online on the gov.uk website. <br>The Government will await the ACMD’s further advice
and recommendations</p>
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