Drug Offences Consultation

Why Drug offences? The Sentencing Council’s Drug Offences Definitive guideline came into force in February 2012. It includes guidelines for sentencing offences of importation/exportation, supply, possession with intent to supply, production, permitting premises to be used, and possession, all relating to drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (the MDA). The Council evaluated the guideline and published its assessment in June 2018. The evaluation found that the guideline had led to some small unanticipated changes in sentencing severity but its overall effect was not considered to be a cause for concern. However, drug offending has changed over time as, for example, new drugs emerge and the nature of offending changes. The evaluation also gave some indications that drug offending was becoming more serious. In addition, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (the PSA) created new offences of importation/exportation, supply, possession with intent