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<p>The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (2016 Act) bans the sale, supply, production
and distribution of psychoactive substances, such as nitrous oxide, for human consumption</p><p>The
Crown Prosecution Service continues to prosecute cases involving nitrous oxide under
the 2016 Act successfully. The Government continue to work closely with the CPS, law
enforcement and scientific experts to ensure that prosecutions of cases under the
2016 Act are supported by the best available evidence.</p><p>Since the 2016 Act came
into force, over 300 retailers across the United Kingdom have either closed down or
are no longer selling psychoactive substances and action by the National Crime Agency
has resulted in the removal of psychoactive substances being sold by UK based websites.
In 2016, there were 28 convictions in England and Wales and seven people jailed under
the new powers. This rose to 152 convictions in 2017 with 62 people immediately sent
to custody.</p>
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