Jeremy instructed in ‘Legal Highs’ cases

Jeremy has been instructed to advise in respect of a number of companies who sell ‘Legal Highs’ by John Goodwin, partner in Howard Cohen and Co, Leeds.

In January 2011, the Home Office funded the Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) in response to the emergence of NPS (New Psychoactive Substances). 17 new substances, previously not seen in the UK have been identified as part of a ‘wider action plan’ that includes a UK wide Drugs Early Warning System and the introduction of Temporary Class Drug Orders under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

NPS are often synthetic drugs manufactured in a laboratory or factory, mainly overseass to mimic the effects of already controlled drugs. There are many sweeping generalisations in respect of these substances. With names like  Spice,Mepahadrone, ‘Ivory White’ and ‘Ocean Snow’, some have been banned in the UK market or may be regulated by the Medicines Act. Many substances may be covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act depending on their precise chemical content, and some unsucessful attempts have been made, to prosecute under other consumer protection legislation.

Originally posted 2013-05-24 00:00:00.