Drug offences
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act offences fall into four categories.
Possession
A possession offence means you could be arrested and charged for having drugs with you in your pocket, bag or hand etc or in property associated with you, such as a house or car. A possession offence means the police believe the drugs were intended for your personal use.
Supply
A supply offence means you are arrested and charged for supplying or intending to supply drugs to another person. On top of selling drugs this can also include scoring for your mates, lending or giving drugs away for free.
The most common supply offence is "possession with intent to supply", this means the police have enough evidence to prove you were intending to supply the drugs to another person. Reasons for being charged with this offence include the amount of drugs you have and how they are packaged, lists of punters, scales and unexplainable amounts of cash.
Production and cultivation
It is illegal to grow or manufacture any illegal drugs.
Drugs and premises
Under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is an offence to knowingly allow people to smoke cannabis or opium and to produce or supply any controlled drug on premises you are responsible for.
The use of other drugs is not covered under this Act, although the government have taken steps to extend it this has not currently happened due to the possible impact on residential drug treatment centres and homeless hostels. A new government paper the Antisocial Behaviour Bill intends tackle crack use by giving the police powers to close down crack houses within 48hours and keep them sealed for up to three months.
Under the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Act 1997 club owners must ensure they make every effort to stop dealing and drug use at their premises or face having their licences removed.
