Misuse of Drugs Act 1976

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AT 21 of 1976

MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1976

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MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1976

Index Section Page

1 The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs .......................................................... 7
Controlled drugs and their classification 8

2 Controlled drugs and their classification for purposes of this Act .......................... 8
Restrictions relating to controlled drugs etc. 9

3 Restriction of importation, exportation etc of controlled drugs .............................. 9
4 Restriction of production and supply of controlled drugs ..................................... 10
4A Manufacture and supply of scheduled substances .................................................. 10
5 Restriction of possession of controlled drugs ........................................................... 11
6 Restriction of cultivation of cannabis plant .............................................................. 12
7 Authorisation of activities otherwise unlawful under foregoing provisions....... 12
Miscellaneous offences involving controlled drugs etc. 13

8 Occupiers etc of premises to be punishable for permitting certain activities
to take place there ......................................................................................................... 13
9 Prohibition of certain activities etc relating to opium ............................................. 14
9A Prohibition of supply etc of articles for administering or preparing
controlled drugs ............................................................................................................ 14
Offences at sea 15

9B Offences on Manx ships ............................................................................................... 15
9C Ships used for illicit traffic ........................................................................................... 15
9D Enforcement powers..................................................................................................... 16
9E Ss 9B to 9D: supplementary provisions ..................................................................... 16
Powers of Department for preventing misuse of controlled drugs 17

10 Power to make regulations for preventing misuse of controlled drugs ............... 17
11 Power to direct special precautions for safe custody of controlled drugs to
be taken at certain premises ........................................................................................ 18
12 Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc of controlled drugs by
practitioners etc convicted of certain offences .......................................................... 19
13 Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc of controlled drugs by
practitioners in other cases .......................................................................................... 20
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14 Investigation where grounds for a direction under s 13 are considered to
exist ................................................................................................................................. 20
15 Temporary directions under s 13(2) .......................................................................... 22
16 Provisions supplementary to ss 14 and 15 ................................................................ 23
17 Power to obtain information from doctors, pharmacists, etc in certain
circumstances ................................................................................................................ 24
Miscellaneous offences and powers 25

18 Miscellaneous offences ................................................................................................ 25
19 Attempts etc to commit offences ................................................................................ 26
20 Assisting in or inducing commission outside the Island of offence
punishable under a corresponding law .................................................................... 26
21 Offences by corporations ............................................................................................. 26
22 Further powers to make regulations ......................................................................... 26
Law enforcement and punishment of offences 27

23 Powers to search and obtain evidence ...................................................................... 27
24 [Repealed] ...................................................................................................................... 28
25 Prosecution and punishment of offences .................................................................. 28
26 [Repealed] ...................................................................................................................... 29
27 Forfeiture ....................................................................................................................... 29
Miscellaneous and supplementary provisions 30

28 Proof of lack of knowledge etc to be a defence in proceedings for certain
offences .......................................................................................................................... 30
29 Service of documents ................................................................................................... 31
30 Licences and authorities .............................................................................................. 31
30A Regulations about scheduled substances .................................................................. 31
31 General provisions as to regulations ......................................................................... 32
32 Power to amend Act by order .................................................................................... 33
33 Application of UK orders, regulations and directions ............................................ 33
34 Orders under ss 32 and 33 to be subject to approval of Tynwald ......................... 34
35 Research ......................................................................................................................... 34
36 Financial provisions ..................................................................................................... 34
37 Meaning of “corresponding law”, and evidence of certain matters by
certificate........................................................................................................................ 34
38 Interpretation ................................................................................................................ 34
39 Savings and transitional provisions .......................................................................... 36
40 Short title and commencement ................................................................................... 36
SCHEDULE 1 37

CONSTITUTION ETC. OF ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE MISUSE OF
DRUGS 37
SCHEDULE 2 38

SCHEDULE 2A 38

SUBSTANCES USEFUL FOR MANUFACTURING CONTROLLED DRUGS 38
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TABLE II 38
SCHEDULE 2B 39

ENFORCEMENT POWERS IN RESPECT OF SHIPS 39
SCHEDULE 3 41

TRIBUNALS, ADVISORY BODIES AND PROFESSIONAL PANELS 41
SCHEDULE 4 44

PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF OFFENCES 44
SCHEDULE 5 47

SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 47
SCHEDULE 6 48

ENDNOTES 49

TABLE OF LEGISLATION HISTORY 49
TABLE OF RENUMBERED PROVISIONS 49
TABLE OF ENDNOTE REFERENCES 49

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c i e
MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1976

Received Royal Assent: 30 July 1976
Passed: 19 October 1976
Commenced: 1 February 1978
AN ACT
to make new provision with respect to dangerous or otherwise
harmful drugs and related matters, and for purposes connected therewith.
GENERAL NOTE:
The maximum fines in this Act are as increased by the Fines Act
1986 and by the Criminal Justice (Penalties, Etc.) Act 1993 s 1.
1 The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

[P1971/38/1]
(1) There shall be constituted in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Act an
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (in this Act referred to as “the
Advisory Council”); and the supplementary provisions contained in that
Schedule shall have effect in relation to the Council.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Advisory Council to keep under review the
situation in the Island with respect to drugs which are being or appear to
it likely to be misused and of which the misuse is having or appears to it
capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social
problem, and to give to any one or more of the specified authorities,
where either the Council consider it expedient to do so or it is consulted
by the specified authority or authorities in question, advice on measures
(whether or not involving alteration of the law) which in the opinion of
the Council ought to be taken for preventing the misuse of such drugs or
dealing with social problems connected with their misuse, and in
particular on measures which in the opinion of the Council ought to be
taken —
(a) for restricting the availability of such drugs or supervising the
arrangements for their supply;
(b) for enabling persons affected by the misuse of such drugs to
obtain proper advice, and for securing the provision of proper
facilities and services for the treatment, rehabilitation and after-
care of such persons;
Section 2 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


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(c) for promoting co-operation between the various professional and
community services which in the opinion of the Council have a
part to play in dealing with social problems connected with the
misuse of such drugs;
(d) for educating the public (and in particular the young) in the
dangers of misusing such drugs, and for giving publicity to those
dangers; and
(e) for promoting research into, or otherwise obtaining information
about, any matter which in the opinion of the Council is of
relevance for the purpose of preventing the misuse of such drugs
or dealing with any social problem connected with their misuse.
(3) It shall also be the duty of the Advisory Council to consider any matter
relating to drug dependence or the misuse of drugs which may be
referred to it by any one or more of the specified authorities and to
advise the specified authority or authorities in question thereon, and in
particular to consider and advise the Department of Health and Social
Care (in this Act referred to as “the Department”) with respect to any
communication referred by it to the Council, being a communication
relating to the control of any dangerous or otherwise harmful drug made
to Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom by any
organisation or authority established by or under any treaty, convention
or other agreement or arrangement to which that Government is for the
time being a party.1

(4) In this section, “the specified authorities” means the Department, the
Department of Education and Children and the Chief Constable.2

(5) The Advisory Council must —
(a) prepare an annual report about the discharge of its duties under
this Act; and
(b) lay a copy of the report before Tynwald.3

(6) Without limiting the generality of subsection 5(a), the annual report must
set out the views of the Advisory Council in respect of the measures
which ought to be taken in relation to each of the matters mentioned in
subsection (2)(a) to (e).4

Controlled drugs and their classification
2 Controlled drugs and their classification for purposes of this Act

(1) In this Act —
(a) “controlled drug
” means any substance or product —
(i) in Part I, II or III of Schedule 2 to the UK Act;
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(ii) in a temporary class drug order made under section 2A of
the UK Act; or
(iii) in an order under subsection (3); and5

(b) “Class A drug
”, “Class B drug
” and “Class C drug
” mean any of
the substances and products for the time being specified
respectively in Part I, II or III of Schedule 2 to the UK Act.
(2) The provisions of Part IV of Schedule 2 to the UK Act have effect with
respect to the meanings of expressions used in that Schedule.
(3) After consulting the Advisory Council, the Department may by order
specify a substance or product, which is not for the time being specified
in Part I, II or III of Schedule 2 to the UK Act, as a controlled drug.
(4) An order under subsection (3) (if not previously revoked) ceases to have
effect at the end of —
(a) the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which it came
into operation; or
(b) any shorter period specified in it.
(5) Subsection (4) does not limit the power to make a further order.
(6) If a substance or product which is specified in an order under
subsection (3) is subsequently specified in Part I, II or III of Schedule 2 to
the UK Act, that substance or product ceases to be specified in the order.
(7) For the purposes of this Act, a substance or product specified in an order
under subsection (3) is to be treated as if it were a Class C drug.
(8) An order under subsection (3) must not come into operation unless it is
approved by Tynwald.6

Restrictions relating to controlled drugs etc.
3 Restriction of importation, exportation etc of controlled drugs

[P1971/38/3]
(1) Subject to subsection (2) below —
(a) the importation of a controlled drug; and
(b) the exportation of a controlled drug,
are hereby prohibited.
(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply —
(a) to the importation or exportation of a controlled drug which is for
the time being excepted from paragraph (a) or, as the case may be,
paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above by regulations under
section 7 of this Act; or
Section 4 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


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(b) to the importation or exportation of a controlled drug under and
in accordance with the terms of a licence issued by the
Department and in compliance with any conditions attached
thereto.7

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) above shall apply in relation to the removal to the
Island from the United Kingdom, or the removal from the Island to the
United Kingdom, of a controlled drug as they apply to the importation or
exportation of a controlled drug.
(4) Any person who causes or attempts to cause any controlled drug to be
removed to the Island from the United Kingdom, or cause or attempts to
cause any such drug to be removed from the Island to the United
Kingdom, in contravention of this section shall be deemed to have
produced that drug in contravention of section 4(1) of this Act.
4 Restriction of production and supply of controlled drugs

[P1971/38/4]
(1) Subject to any regulations under section 7 of this Act for the time being in
force, it shall not be lawful for a person —
(a) to produce a controlled drug; or
(b) to supply or offer to supply a controlled drug to another.
(2) Subject to section 28 of this Act, it is an offence for a person —
(a) to produce a controlled drug in contravention of subsection (1)
above; or
(b) to be concerned in the production of such a drug in contravention
of that subsection by another.
(3) Subject to section 28 of this Act, it is an offence for a person —
(a) to supply or offer to supply a controlled drug to another in
contravention of subsection (1) above; or
(b) to be concerned in the supplying of such a drug to another in
contravention of that subsection; or
(c) to be concerned in the making to another in contravention of that
subsection of an offer to supply such a drug.
4A Manufacture and supply of scheduled substances

(1) It is an offence for a person —
(a) to manufacture a scheduled substance; or
(b) to supply such a substance to another person,
knowing or suspecting that the substance is to be used in or for the
production of a controlled drug in contravention of section 4(1)(a) of this
Act.
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(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above is liable —
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both;
(b) on conviction on information, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 14 years or a fine or both.
(3) In this Act, “a scheduled substance” means a substance for the time
being specified in Schedule 2A to this Act.8

5 Restriction of possession of controlled drugs

[P1971/38/5]
(1) Subject to any regulations under section 7 of this Act for the time being in
force, it shall not be lawful for a person to have a controlled drug in his
possession.
(2) Subject to section 28 of this Act and to subsection (4) below, it is an
offence for a person to have a controlled drug in his possession in
contravention of subsection (1) above.
(3) Subject to section 28 of this Act, it is an offence for a person to have a
controlled drug in his possession, whether lawfully or not, with intent to
supply it to another in contravention of section 4(1) of this Act.
(4) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (2) above in which it
is proved that the accused had a controlled drug in his possession, it
shall be a defence for him to prove —
(a) that, knowing or suspecting it to be a controlled drug, he took
possession of it for the purpose of preventing another from
committing or continuing to commit an offence in connection with
that drug and that as soon as possible after taking possession of it
he took all such steps as were reasonably open to him to destroy
the drug or to deliver it into the custody of a person lawfully
entitled to take custody of it; or
(b) that, knowing or suspecting it to be a controlled drug, he took
possession of it for the purpose of delivering it into the custody of
a person lawfully entitled to take custody of it and that as soon as
possible after taking possession of it he took all such steps as were
reasonably open to him to deliver it into the custody of such a
person.
(5) Subsection (4) above shall apply in the case of proceedings for an offence
under section 19(1) of this Act consisting of an attempt to commit an
offence under subsection (2) above as it applies in the case of proceedings
for an offence under subsection (2), subject to the following
modifications, that is to say —
(a) for the references to the accused having in his possession, and to
his taking possession of, a controlled drug there shall be
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substituted respectively references to his attempting to get, and to
his attempting to take, possession of such a drug; and
(b) in paragraphs (a) and (b), the words from “and that as soon as
possible” onwards shall be omitted.
(6) Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) above shall prejudice any defence which
it is open to a person charged with an offence under this section to raise
apart from that subsection.
6 Restriction of cultivation of cannabis plant

[P1971/38/6]
(1) Subject to any regulations under section 7 of this Act for the time being in
force, it shall not be lawful for a person to cultivate any plant of the
genus Cannabis.
(2) Subject to section 28 of this Act, it is an offence to cultivate any such
plant in contravention of subsection (1) above.
7 Authorisation of activities otherwise unlawful under foregoing

provisions

[P1971/38/7]
(1) The Department may by regulations —
(a) except from section 3(1)(a) or (b), 4(1)(a) or (b) or 5(1) of this Act
such controlled drugs as may be specified in the regulations; and
(b) make such other provision as it thinks fit for the purpose of
making it lawful for persons to do things which under any of the
following provisions of this Act, that is to say, sections 4(1), 5(1)
and 6(1), it would otherwise be unlawful for them to do.9

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b) of subsection (1)
above, regulations under that subsection authorising the doing of any
such thing as is mentioned in that paragraph may in particular provide
for the doing of that thing to be lawful —
(a) if it is done under and in accordance with the terms of a licence or
other authority issued by the Department and in compliance with
any conditions attached thereto; or10

(b) if it is done is compliance with such conditions as may be
prescribed.
(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, the Department shall so exercise its
power to make regulations under subsection (1) above as to secure —
(a) that it is not unlawful under section 4(1) of this Act for a doctor,
dentist, or veterinary surgeon, acting in his capacity as such, to
prescribe, administer, manufacture, compound or supply a
controlled drug, or for a pharmacist or a person lawfully
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conducting a retail pharmacy business, acting in either case in his
capacity as such, to manufacture, compound or supply a
controlled drug; and11

(b) that it is not unlawful under section 5(1) of this Act for a doctor,
dentist, veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or person lawfully
conducting a retail pharmacy business to have a controlled drug
in his possession for the purpose of acting in his capacity as
such.12

(4) If, in the case of any controlled drug, the Department is of the opinion
that it is in the public interest —
(a) for production, supply and possession of that drug to be either
wholly unlawful or unlawful except for purposes of research or
other special purposes; or
(b) for it to be unlawful for practitioners, pharmacists and persons
lawfully conducting retail pharmacy businesses to do in relation
to that drug any of the things mentioned in subsection (3) above
except under a licence or other authority issued by the
Department,13

it may by order designate that drug as a drug to which this subsection
applies; and while there is in force an order under this subsection
designating a controlled drug as one to which this subsection applies,
subsection (3) above shall not apply as regards that drug.14

(5) The Department shall not make any order under subsection (4) above
except after consultation with, or on the recommendation of the
Advisory Council.15

(6) An order under subsection (4) above shall not have effect until it has
been approved by Tynwald.
(7) References in this section to a person’s “doing” things include references
to his having things in his possession.
Miscellaneous offences involving controlled drugs etc.
8 Occupiers etc of premises to be punishable for permitting certain

activities to take place there

[P1971/38/8]
A person commits an offence if, being the occupier or concerned in the
management of any premises, he knowingly permits or suffers any of the
following activities to take place on those premises, that is to say —
(a) producing or attempting to produce a controlled drug in
contravention of section 4(1) of this Act;
Section 9 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


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(b) supplying or attempting to supply a controlled drug to another in
contravention of section 4(1) of this Act, or offering to supply a
controlled drug to another in contravention of section 4(1);
(c) preparing opium for smoking;
(d) smoking cannabis, cannabis resin or prepared opium.
9 Prohibition of certain activities etc relating to opium

[P1971/38/9]
Subject to section 28 of this Act, it is an offence for a person —
(a) to smoke or otherwise use prepared opium; or
(b) to frequent a place used for the purpose of opium smoking; or
(c) to have in his possession —
(i) any pipes or other utensils made or adapted for use in
connection with the smoking of opium, being pipes or
utensils which have been used by him or with his
knowledge and permission in that connection or which he
intends to use or permit others to use in that connection; or
(ii) any utensils which have been used by him or with his
knowledge and permission in connection with the
preparation of opium for smoking.
9A Prohibition of supply etc of articles for administering or preparing

controlled drugs

(1) A person who supplies or offers to supply any article which may be used
or adapted to be used (whether by itself or in combination with another
article or other articles) in the administration by any person of a
controlled drug to himself or another, believing that the article (or the
article as adapted) is to be so used, in circumstances where the
administration is unlawful, is guilty of an offence.
(2) It is not an offence under subsection (1) to supply or offer to supply a
hypodermic syringe, or any part of one.
(3) A person who supplies or offers to supply any article which may be used
to prepare a controlled drug for administration by any person to himself
or another believing that the article is to be so used in circumstances
where the administration is unlawful is guilty of an offence.
(4) For the purposes of this section, any administration of a controlled drug
is unlawful except —
(a) the administration by any person of a controlled drug to another
in circumstances where the administration of the drug would not
be unlawful under section 4(1), or
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(b) the administration by any person of a controlled drug to himself
in circumstances where having the controlled drug in his
possession would not be unlawful under section 5(1).
(5) In this section, references to administration by any person of a controlled
drug to himself include a reference to his administering it to himself with
the assistance of another.16

Offences at sea
9B Offences on Manx ships

Anything which would constitute a drug trafficking offence if done on land in
the Island shall constitute that offence if done on a Manx ship.17

9C Ships used for illicit traffic

(1) This section applies to a Manx ship, a ship registered in a state which is a
party to the Vienna Convention (a “Convention state”) and a ship not
registered in any country or territory.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if on a ship to which this section applies,
wherever it may be, he —
(a) has a controlled drug in his possession; or
(b) is in any way knowingly concerned in the carrying or concealing
of a controlled drug on the ship,
knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that the drug is
intended to be imported or has been exported contrary to section 3(1) of
this Act or the law of any country or territory outside the Island.
(3) A certificate purporting to be issued by or on behalf of the government of
any country or territory to the effect that the importation or export of a
controlled drug is prohibited by the law of that country or territory shall
be evidence of the matters stated.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable —
(a) in a case where the controlled drug is a Class A drug —
(i) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both;
(ii) on conviction on information, to imprisonment for life or a
fine or both;
(b) in a case where the controlled drug is a Class B drug —
(i) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both;
(ii) on conviction on information, to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 14 years or a fine or both;
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(c) in a case where the controlled drug is a Class C drug —
(i) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both;
(ii) on conviction on information, to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 5 years or a fine or both.18

9D Enforcement powers

(1) The powers conferred on an enforcement officer by Schedule 2B to this
Act shall be exercisable in relation to any ship to which section 9B or 9C
above applies for the purpose of detecting and the taking of appropriate
action in respect of the offences mentioned in those sections.
(2) Those powers shall not be exercised outside the landward limits of the
territorial sea of the Island in relation to a ship registered in a Convention
state except with the authority of the Chief Minister; and he shall not
give his authority unless that state has in relation to that ship —
(a) requested the assistance of the Island or the United Kingdom for
the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above; or
(b) authorised the Island or the United Kingdom to act for that
purpose.
(3) In giving his authority pursuant to a request or authorisation from a
Convention state the Chief Minister shall impose such conditions or
limitations on the exercise of the powers as may be necessary to give
effect to any conditions or limitations imposed by that state.
(4) The Chief Minister may, either of his own motion or in response to a
request from a Convention state, authorise a Convention state to
exercise, in relation to a Manx ship, powers corresponding to those
conferred on enforcement officers by Schedule 2B to this Act but subject
to such conditions or limitations, if any, as he may impose.
(5) Subsection (4) above is without prejudice to any agreement made, or
which may be made, on behalf of the United Kingdom and which
extends to the Island whereby it is agreed not to object to the exercise by
any other state in relation to a Manx ship of powers corresponding to
those conferred by that Schedule.
(6) The powers conferred by that Schedule shall not be exercised in the
territorial sea of any country or territory other than the Island without
the authority of the Chief Minister and he shall not give his authority
unless the relevant state has consented to the exercise of those powers.19

9E Ss 9B to 9D: supplementary provisions

(1) Proceedings in pursuance of section 9B or 9C of, or Schedule 2B to, this
Act in respect of an offence on a ship shall not be instituted except by or
with the consent of the Attorney General.20

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(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above no proceedings for an offence
under section 9C above alleged to have been committed outside the
landward limits of the territorial sea of the Island on a ship registered in
a Convention state shall be instituted except in pursuance of the exercise
with the authority of the Chief Minister of the powers conferred by
Schedule 2B to this Act.
(3) Section 3 of the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act 1878 (consent of
Governor for certain prosecutions) (an Act of Parliament) shall not apply
to proceedings to which subsection (2) above applies.
(4) In sections 9B to 9D and this section —
“Convention state
” has the meaning given in section 9C above;
“drug trafficking offence
” means an offence which is specified in —
(a) paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2008 (drug
trafficking offences); or
(b) so far as it relates to that paragraph, paragraph 11 of that
Schedule;21

“Manx ship
” means a ship registered in the Island;
“ship
” includes any vessel used in navigation;
“the Vienna Convention
” means the United Nations Convention against Illicit
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances which was signed
in Vienna on 20th December 1988.
(5) If in any proceedings under section 9B to 9D of, or Schedule 2B to, this
Act any question arises whether any country or territory is a state or is a
party to the Vienna Convention, a certificate issued by or under the
authority of the Chief Minister shall be conclusive evidence on that
question.22

Powers of Department for preventing misuse of controlled drugs
10 Power to make regulations for preventing misuse of controlled drugs

[1971/38/10]
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Department may by regulations
make such provision as appears to it necessary or expedient for
preventing the misuse of controlled drugs.23

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations
under this section may in particular make provision —
(a) for requiring precautions to be taken for the safe custody of
controlled drugs;
(b) for imposing requirements as to the documentation of
transactions involving controlled drugs, and for requiring copies
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of documents relating to such transactions to be furnished to the
prescribed authority;
(c) for requiring the keeping of records and the furnishing of
information with respect to controlled drugs in such
circumstances and in such manner as may be prescribed;
(d) for the inspection of any precautions taken or records kept in
pursuance of regulations under this section;
(e) as to the packaging and labelling of controlled drugs;
(f) for regulating the transport of controlled drugs and the methods
used for destroying or otherwise disposing of such drugs when
no longer required;
(g) for regulating the issue of prescriptions containing controlled
drugs and the supply of controlled drugs on prescriptions, and for
requiring persons issuing or dispensing prescriptions containing
such drugs to furnish to the prescribed authority such information
relating to those prescriptions as may be prescribed;
(h) for requiring any doctor who attends a person who he considers,
or has reasonable grounds to suspect, is addicted (within the
meaning of the regulations) to controlled drugs of any description
to furnish to the prescribed authority such particulars with
respect to that person as may be prescribed;
(i) for prohibiting any doctor from administering, supplying and
authorising the administration and supply to persons so addicted,
and from prescribing for such persons, such controlled drugs as
may be prescribed, except under and in accordance with the terms
of a licence issued by the Department in pursuance of the
regulations.24

11 Power to direct special precautions for safe custody of controlled drugs

to be taken at certain premises

[P1971/38/11]
(1) Without prejudice to any requirement imposed by regulations made in
pursuance of section 10(2)(a) of this Act, the Department may by notice
in writing served on the occupier of any premises on which controlled
drugs are, or are proposed to be, kept give directions as to the taking of
precautions or further precautions for the safe custody of any controlled
drugs of a description specified in the notice which are kept on those
premises.25

(2) It is an offence to contravene any directions given under subsection (1)
above.
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12 Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc of controlled drugs by

practitioners etc convicted of certain offences

[P1971/38/12]
(1) Where a person who is a practitioner or pharmacist has after this
subsection takes effect been convicted —
(a) of an offence under this Act or under the Dangerous Drugs Act
1966 or any enactment repealed by that Act; or
(b) of an offence under section 45, 56 or 304 of the Customs and
Excise Act or under section 50, 68 or 170 of the Customs and
Excise Management Act or under section 47, 69 or 178 of the
Customs and Excise Management Act 1986 in connection with a
prohibition of or restriction on importation or exportation of a
controlled drug having effect by virtue of section 3 of this Act or
which had effect by virtue of any provision contained in or
repealed by the said Act of 1966,26

the Department may give a direction under subsection (2) below in
respect of that person.27

(2) A direction under this subsection in respect of a person shall —
(a) if that person is a practitioner, be a direction prohibiting him from
having in his possession, prescribing, administering,
manufacturing, compounding and supplying and from
authorising the administration and supply of such controlled
drugs as may be specified in the direction;
(b) if that person is a pharmacist, be a direction prohibiting him from
having in his possession, manufacturing, compounding and
supplying and from supervising and controlling the manufacture,
compounding and supply of such controlled drugs as may be
specified in the direction.
(3) The Department may at any time give a direction cancelling or
suspending any direction given by it under subsection (2) above, or
cancelling any direction of its under this subsection by which a direction
so given is suspended.28

(4) The Department shall cause a copy of any direction given by it under this
section to be served on the person to whom it applies, and shall cause
notice of any such direction to be published in at least two newspapers
printed and circulating in the Island.29

(5) A direction under this section shall take effect when a copy of it is served
on the person to whom it applies.
(6) It is an offence to contravene a direction given under subsection (2)
above.
Section 13 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 20 AT 21 of 1976 c

13 Directions prohibiting prescribing, supply etc of controlled drugs by

practitioners in other cases

[P1971/38/13]
(1) In the event of a contravention by a doctor of regulations made in
pursuance of paragraph (h) or (i) of section 10(2) of this Act, or of the
terms of a licence issued under regulations made in pursuance of the said
paragraph (i), the Department may, subject to and in accordance with
section 14 of this Act, give a direction in respect of the doctor concerned
prohibiting him from prescribing, administering and supplying and from
authorising the administration and supply of such controlled drugs as
may be specified in the direction.30

(2) If the Department is of the opinion that a practitioner is or has after the
coming into operation of this subsection been prescribing, administering
or supplying or authorising the administration or supply of any
controlled drugs in an irresponsible manner, the Department may,
subject to and in accordance with section 14 or 15 of this Act, give a
direction in respect of the practitioner concerned prohibiting him from
prescribing, administering and supplying and from authorising the
administration and supply of such controlled drugs as may be specified
in the direction.31

(3) A contravention such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above does not as
such constitute an offence, but it is an offence to contravene a direction
given under subsection (1) or (2) above.
14 Investigation where grounds for a direction under s 13 are considered

to exist

[P1971/38/14]
(1) If the Department considers that there are grounds for giving a direction
under subsection (1) of section 13 of this Act on account of such a
contravention by a doctor as is there mentioned, or for giving a direction
under subsection (2) of that section on account of such conduct by a
practitioner as is mentioned in the said subsection (2), it may refer the
case to a tribunal constituted for the purpose in accordance with the
following provisions of this Act; and it shall be the duty of the tribunal to
consider the case and report on it to the Department.32

(2) In this Act, “the respondent”, in relation to a reference under this section,
means the doctor or other practitioner in respect of whom the reference
is made.
(3) Where —
(a) in the case of a reference relating to the giving of a direction under
the said subsection (1), the tribunal finds that there has been no
such contravention as aforesaid by the respondent or finds that
there has been such a contravention but does not recommend the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 14


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 21

giving of a direction under that subsection in respect of the
respondent; or
(b) in the case of a reference relating to the giving of a direction under
the said subsection (2), the tribunal finds that there has been no
such conduct as aforesaid by the respondent or finds that there
has been such conduct by the respondent but does not
recommend the giving of a direction under the said subsection (2)
in respect of him,
the Department shall cause notice to that effect to be served on the
respondent.33

(4) Where the tribunal finds —
(a) in the case of a reference relating to the giving of a direction under
the said subsection (1), that there has been such a contravention as
aforesaid by the respondent; or
(b) in the case of a reference relating to the giving of a direction under
the said section (2), that there has been such conduct as aforesaid
by the respondent,
and considers that a direction under the subsection in question should be
given in respect of him, the tribunal shall include in its report a
recommendation to that effect indicating the controlled drugs which it
considers should be specified in the direction or indicating that the
direction should specify all controlled drugs.
(5) Where the tribunal makes such a recommendation as aforesaid, the
Department shall cause a notice to be served on the respondent stating
whether or not it proposes to give a direction pursuant thereto, and
where it does so propose the notice shall —
(a) set out the terms of the proposed direction; and
(b) inform the respondent that consideration will be given to any
representations relating to the case which are made by him in
writing to the Department within the period of twenty-eight days
beginning with the date of service of the notice.34

(6) If any such representations are received by the Department within the
period aforesaid, it shall refer the case to an advisory body constituted
for the purpose in accordance with the following provisions of this Act;
and it shall be the duty of the advisory body to consider the case and to
advise the Department as to the exercise of its powers under
subsection (7) below.35

(7) After the expiration of the said period of twenty-eight days and, in the
case of a reference to an advisory body under subsection (6) above, after
considering the advice of that body, the Department may either —
(a) give in respect of the respondent a direction under subsection (1)
or, as the case may be, subsection (2) of section 13 of this Act
Section 15 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 22 AT 21 of 1976 c

specifying all or any of the controlled drugs indicated in the
recommendation of the tribunal; or
(b) order that the case be referred back to the tribunal, or referred to
another tribunal constituted as aforesaid; or
(c) order that no further proceedings under this section shall be taken
in the case.36

(8) Where a case is referred or referred back to a tribunal in pursuance of
subsection (7) above, the provisions of subsections (2) to (7) above shall
apply as if the case had been referred to the tribunal in pursuance of
subsection (1) above, and any finding, recommendation or advice
previously made or given in respect of the case in pursuance of those
provisions shall be disregarded.
15 Temporary directions under s 13(2)

[P1971/38/15]
(1) If the Department considers that there are grounds for giving a direction
under subsection (2) of section 13 of this Act in respect of a practitioner
on account of such conduct by him as is mentioned in that subsection
and that the circumstances of the case require such a direction to be
given with the minimum of delay, it may, subject to the following
provisions of this section, give such a direction in respect of him by
virtue of this section and a direction under section 13(2) given by virtue
of this section may specify such controlled drugs as the Department
thinks fit.37

(2) Where the Department proposes to give such a direction as aforesaid by
virtue of this section, it shall refer the case to a professional panel
constituted for the purpose in accordance with the following provisions
of this Act; and
(a) it shall be the duty of the panel, after affording the respondent an
opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the panel, to
consider the circumstances of the case, so far as known to it, and
to report to the Department whether the information before the
panel appears to it to afford reasonable grounds for thinking that
there has been such conduct by the respondent as is mentioned in
section 13(2) of this Act; and38

(b) the Department shall not by virtue of this section give such a
direction as aforesaid in respect of the respondent unless the
panel reports that the information before it appears to it to afford
reasonable grounds for so thinking.39

(3) In this Act, “the respondent”, in relation to a reference under
subsection (2) above, means the practitioner in respect of whom the
reference is made.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 16


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 23

(4) Where the Department gives such a direction as aforesaid by virtue of
this section, it shall, if it has not already done so, forthwith refer the case
to a tribunal in accordance with section 14(1) of this Act.40

(5) Subject to subsection (6) below, the period of operation of a direction
under section 13(2) of this Act given by virtue of this section shall be a
period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the direction takes
effect.
(6) Where a direction under section 13(2) of this Act has been given in
respect of a person by virtue of this section and the case has been
referred to a tribunal in accordance with section 14(1), the Department
may from time to time, by notice in writing served on the person to
whom the direction applies, extend or further extend the period of
operation of the direction for a further twenty-eight days from the time
when that period would otherwise expire, but shall not so extend or
further extend that period without the consent of that tribunal, or, if the
case has been referred to another tribunal in pursuance of section 14(7) of
this Act, of that other tribunal.41

(7) A direction under section 13(2) of this Act given in respect of a person by
virtue of this section shall (unless previously cancelled under
section 16(3) of this Act) cease to have effect on the occurrence of any of
the following events, that is to say —
(a) the service on that person of a notice under section 14(3) of this
Act relating to his case;
(b) the service on that person of a notice under section 14(5) of this
Act relating to his case stating that the Department does not
propose to give a direction under section 13(2) of this Act
pursuant to a recommendation of the tribunal that such a
direction should be given;42

(c) the service on that person of a copy of such a direction given in
respect of him in pursuance of section 14(7) of this Act;
(d) the making of an order by the Department in pursuance of
section 14(7) that no further proceedings under section 14 shall be
taken in the case;43

(e) the expiration of the period of operation of the direction under
section 13(2) given by virtue of this section.
16 Provisions supplementary to ss 14 and 15

[P1971/38/16]
(1) The provisions of Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect with respect to
the constitution and procedure of any tribunal, advisory body or
professional panel appointed for the purposes of section 14 or 15 of this
Act, and with respect to the other matters there mentioned.
Section 17 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 24 AT 21 of 1976 c

(2) The Department shall cause a copy of any order or direction made or
given by it in pursuance of section 14(7) of this Act or any direction given
by it by virtue of the said section 15 to be served on the person to whom
it applies and shall cause notice of any such direction, and a copy of any
notice served under section 15(6) of this Act, to be published in at least
two newspapers printed and circulating in the Island.44

(3) The Department may at any time give a direction —
(a) cancelling or suspending any direction given by it in pursuance of
section 14(7) of this Act or cancelling any direction of its under
this subsection by which a direction so given is suspended; or45

(b) cancelling any direction given by it by virtue of section 15 of this
Act,46

and shall cause a copy of any direction of its under this subsection to be
served on the person to whom it applies and notice of it to be published
as aforesaid.47

(4) A direction given under section 13(1) or (2) of this Act or under
subsection (3) above shall take effect when a copy of it is served on the
person to whom it applies.
17 Power to obtain information from doctors, pharmacists, etc in certain

circumstances

[P1971/38/17]
(1) If it appears to the Department that there exists in any area in the Island
a social problem caused by the extensive misuse of dangerous or
otherwise harmful drugs in that area, it may by notice in writing served
on any doctor or pharmacist practising in or in the vicinity of that area,
or on any person carrying on a retail pharmacy business within the
meaning of the Medicines Act 2003 at any premises situated in or in the
vicinity of that area, require him to furnish to the Department, with
respect to any such drugs specified in the notice and as regards any
period so specified, such particulars as may be so specified relating to the
quantities in which and the number and frequency of the occasions on
which those drugs —
(a) in the case of a doctor, were prescribed, administered or supplied
by him; or
(b) in the case of a pharmacist, were supplied by him; or
(c) in the case of a person carrying on a retail pharmacy business,
were supplied in the course of that business at any premises so
situated which may be specified in the notice.48

(2) A notice under this section may require any such particulars to be
furnished in such manner and within such time as may be specified in
the notice and, if served on a pharmacist or person carrying on a retail
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 18


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 25

pharmacy business, may require him to furnish the names and addresses
of doctors on whose prescriptions any dangerous or otherwise harmful
drugs to which the notice relates were supplied, but shall not require any
person to furnish any particulars relating to the identity of any person
for or to whom any such drug has been prescribed, administered or
supplied.
(3) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse (proof of
which shall lie on him) he fails to comply with any requirement to which
he is subject by virtue of subsection (1) above.
(4) A person commits an offence if, in purported compliance with a
requirement imposed under this section, he gives any information which
he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly gives any
information which is so false.
Miscellaneous offences and powers
18 Miscellaneous offences

[P1971/38/18]
(1) It is an offence for a person to contravene any regulations made under
this Act other than regulations made in pursuance of section 10(2)(h) or
(i).
(2) It is an offence for a person to contravene a condition or other term of a
licence issued under section 3 of this Act or of a licence or other authority
issued under regulations made under this Act, not being a licence issued
under regulations made in pursuance of section 10(2)(i).
(3) A person commits an offence if, in purported compliance with any
obligation to give information to which he is subject under or by virtue of
regulations made under this Act, he gives any information which he
knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly gives any
information which is so false.
(4) A person commits an offence if, for the purpose of obtaining, whether for
himself or another, the issue or renewal of a licence or other authority
under this Act or under any regulations made under this Act, he —
(a) makes any statement or gives any information which he knows to
be false in a material particular or recklessly gives any
information which is so false; or
(b) produces or otherwise makes use of any book, record or other
document which to his knowledge contains any statement or
information which he knows to be false in a material particular.
Section 19 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 26 AT 21 of 1976 c

19 Attempts etc to commit offences

[P1971/38/19]
It is an offence for a person to attempt to commit an offence under any other
provision of this Act or to incite or attempt to incite another to commit such an
offence.
20 Assisting in or inducing commission outside the Island of offence

punishable under a corresponding law

[P1971/38/20]
A person commits an offence if in the Island he assists in or induces the
commission in any place outside the Island of an offence punishable under the
provisions of a corresponding law in force in that place.
21 Offences by corporations

[P1971/38/21]
Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to
have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to
any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar
officer of the body corporate, or any person purporting to act in any such
capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and
shall be liable to be proceeded against accordingly.
22 Further powers to make regulations

[P1971/38/22]
The Department may by regulations make provision —
(a) for excluding in such cases as may be prescribed —
(i) the application of any provision of this Act which creates
an offence; or
(ii) the application of any of the following provisions of the
Customs and Excise Management Act 1986, that is to say,
sections 47(1) to (4), 69(2) and (3) and 178, in so far as they
apply in relation to a prohibition or restriction on
importation or exportation having effect by virtue of
section 3 of this Act;49

(b) for applying any of the provisions of sections 14 to 16 of this Act
and Schedule 3 thereto, with such modifications (if any) as may be
prescribed —
(i) in relation to any proposal by the Governor to give a
direction under section 12(2) of this Act; or
(ii) for such purposes of regulations under this Act as may be
prescribed;
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 23


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 27

(c) for the application of any of the provisions of this Act or
regulations or orders thereunder to servants or agents of the
Crown, in right of the Government of the United Kingdom or of
the Government of the Island, subject to such exceptions,
adaptations and modifications as may be prescribed.50

Law enforcement and punishment of offences
23 Powers to search and obtain evidence

[P1971/38/23]
(1) A constable or other person authorised in that behalf by the Department
shall, for the purposes of the execution of this Act, have power to enter
the premises of a person carrying on business as a producer or supplier
of any controlled drugs and to demand the production of, and to inspect,
any books or documents relating to dealings in any such drugs and to
inspect any stocks of any such drugs.51

(2) If a constable has reasonable grounds to suspect that any person is in
possession of a controlled drug in contravention of this Act or of any
regulations made thereunder, the constable may —
(a) search that person, and detain him for the purpose of searching
him;
(b) search any vehicle or vessel in which the constable suspects that
the drug may be found, and for that purpose require the person in
control of the vehicle or vessel to stop it;
(c) seize and detain, for the purposes of proceedings under this Act,
anything found in the course of the search which appears to the
constable to be evidence of any offence under this Act.
In this subsection, “vessel” includes a hovercraft within the meaning of
the Hovercraft Act 1968 (an Act of Parliament); and nothing in this
subsection shall prejudice any power of search or any power to seize or
detain property which is exercisable by a constable apart from this
subsection.
(3) If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that there is
reasonable ground for suspecting —
(a) that any controlled drugs are, in contravention of this Act or of
any regulations made thereunder, in the possession of a person on
any premises; or
(b) that a document directly or indirectly relating to, or connected
with, a transaction or dealing which was, or an intended
transaction or dealing which would if carried out be, an offence
under this Act, or in case of a transaction or dealing carried out or
intended to be carried out in a place outside the Island, an offence
Section 24 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 28 AT 21 of 1976 c

against the provisions of a corresponding law in force in that
place, is in the possession of a person on any premises,
he may grant a warrant authorising any constable, at any time or times
within one month from the date of the warrant, to enter, if need be by
force, the premises named in the warrant, and to search the premises and
any persons found therein and, if there is reasonable ground for
suspecting that an offence under this Act has been committed in relation
to any controlled drugs found on the premises or in the possession of
any such persons, or that a document so found is such a document as is
mentioned in paragraph (b) above, to seize and detain those drugs or
that document, as the case may be.
(3A) The powers conferred under subsections (1) and (3) above shall apply in
relation to the manufacture and supply of scheduled substances as they
apply in relation to controlled drugs.52

(4) A person commits an offence if he —
(a) intentionally obstructs a person in the exercise of his powers
under this section; or
(b) conceals from a person acting in the exercise of his powers under
subsection (1) above any such books, documents, stocks or drugs
as are mentioned in that subsection; or
(c) without reasonable excuse (proof of which shall lie on him) fails
to produce any such books or documents as are so mentioned
where their production is demanded by a person in the exercise of
his powers under that subsection.
24 [Repealed]
53

25 Prosecution and punishment of offences

[P1971/38/25]
(1) Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect, in accordance with subsection (2)
below, with respect to the way in which offences under this Act are
punishable on conviction.
(2) In relation to an offence under a provision of this Act specified in the first
column of the Schedule (the general nature of the offence being
described in the second column) —
(a) the third column shows whether the offence is punishable on
summary conviction or on information or in either way;
(b) the fourth, fifth and sixth columns show respectively the
punishments which may be imposed on a person convicted of the
offence in the way specified in relation thereto in the third column
(that is to say, summarily or on information) according to whether
the controlled drug in relation to which the offence was
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 26


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 29

committed was a Class A drug, a Class B drug or a Class C drug;
and
(c) the seventh column shows the punishments which may be
imposed on a person convicted of the offence in the way specified
in relation thereto in the third column (that is to say, summarily or
on information), whether or not the offence was committed in
relation to a controlled drug and, if it was so committed,
irrespective of whether the drug was a Class A drug, a Class B
drug or a Class C drug;
and in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh columns a reference to a period
gives the maximum term of imprisonment and a reference to a sum of
money the maximum fine.
(3) An offence under section 19 of this Act shall be punishable on summary
conviction, on information or in either way according to whether, under
Schedule 4 to this Act, the substantive offence is punishable on summary
conviction, on information or in either way; and the punishments which
may be imposed on a person convicted of an offence under that section
are the same as those which, under that Schedule, may be imposed on a
person convicted of the substantive offence.
In this subsection, “the substantive offence” means the offence under this
Act to which the attempt or, as the case may be, the incitement or
attempted incitement mentioned in section 19 was directed.
(4) Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be brought at any time
within twelve months from the commission of the offence.
26 [Repealed]
54

27 Forfeiture

[P1971/38/27]
(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the court by or before which a person is
convicted of an offence to which this section applies may order anything
shown to the satisfaction of the court to relate to the offence, to be
forfeited and either destroyed or dealt with in such other manner as the
court may order.55

(1A) This section applies to any offence which is either (or both) of the
following —
(a) an offence under this Act;
(b) an offence falling within subsection (3).56

(2) The court shall not order anything to be forfeited under this section,
where a person claiming to be the owner of or otherwise interested in it
applies to be heard by the court, unless an opportunity has been given to
him to show cause why the order should not be made.
Section 28 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 30 AT 21 of 1976 c

(3) An offence falls within this subsection if it is an offence which is
specified in —
(a) paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2008 (drug
trafficking offences); or
(b) so far as it relates to that paragraph, paragraph 11 of that
Schedule.57

Miscellaneous and supplementary provisions
28 Proof of lack of knowledge etc to be a defence in proceedings for

certain offences

[P1971/38/28]
(1) This section applies to offences under any of the following provisions of
this Act, that is to say, section 4(2) and (3), section 5(2) and (3),
section 6(2) and section 9.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, in any proceedings for an offence to
which this section applies it shall be a defence for the accused to prove
that he neither knew of nor suspected nor had reason to suspect the
existence of some fact alleged by the prosecution which it is necessary for
the prosecution to prove if he is to be convicted of the offence charged.
(3) Where in any proceedings for an offence to which this section applies it
is necessary, if the accused is to be convicted of the offence charged, for
the prosecution to prove that some substance or product involved in the
alleged offence was the controlled drug which the prosecution alleges it
to have been, and it is proved that the substance or product in question
was that controlled drug, the accused —
(a) shall not be acquitted of the offence charged by reason only of
proving that he neither knew nor suspected nor had reason to
suspect that the substance or product in question was the
particular controlled drug alleged; but
(b) shall be acquitted thereof —
(i) if he proves that he neither believed nor suspected nor had
reason to suspect that the substance or product in question
was a controlled drug; or
(ii) if he proves that he believed the substance or product in
question to be a controlled drug, or a controlled drug of a
description, such that, if it had in fact been that controlled
drug or a controlled drug of that description, he would not
at the material time have been committing any offence to
which this section applies.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 29


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 31

(4) Nothing in this section shall prejudice any defence which it is open to a
person charged with an offence to which this section applies to raise
apart from this section.
29 Service of documents

[P1971/38/29]
(1) Any notice or other document required or authorised by any provision of
this Act to be served on any person may be served on him either by
delivering it to him or by leaving it at his proper address or by sending it
by post.
(2) Any notice or other document so required or authorised to be served on
a body corporate shall be duly served if it is served on the secretary or
clerk of that body.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the proper address of any person shall,
in the case of the secretary or clerk of a body corporate, be that of the
registered or principal office of that body, and in any other case shall be
the last address of the person to be served which is known to the
Department.58

(4) Where any of the following documents, that is to say —
(a) a notice under section 11(1) or section 15(6) of this Act; or
(b) a copy of a direction given under section 12(2), section 13(1) or (2)
or section 16(3) of this Act,
is served by sending it by registered post or by the recorded delivery
service, service thereof shall be deemed to have been effected at the time
when the letter containing it would be delivered in the ordinary course
of post.
30 Licences and authorities

[P1971/38/30]
A licence or other authority issued by the Department for the purposes of this
Act or of regulations made under this Act may be, to any degree, general or
specific, issued on such terms and subject to such conditions (including, in the
case of a licence, the payment of a prescribed fee) as the Department thinks
proper, and may be modified or revoked by it at any time.59

30A Regulations about scheduled substances

(1) The Department may by regulations make provision —
(a) imposing requirements as to the documentation of transactions
involving scheduled substances;
(b) requiring the keeping of records and the furnishing of information
with respect to such substances;
Section 31 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 32 AT 21 of 1976 c

(c) for the inspection of records kept pursuant to the regulations;
(d) for the labelling of consignments of scheduled substances.
(2) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (1)(b) above may, in particular,
require —
(a) the notification of the proposed exportation, or removal from the
Island to the United Kingdom, of substances specified in Table I in
Schedule 2A to this Act to such countries as may be specified in
the regulations; and
(b) the production, in such circumstances as may be so specified, of
evidence that the required notification has been given;
and for the purposes of section 69 of the Customs and Excise Management
Act 1986 (offences relating to exportation of prohibited or restricted
goods) any such substance shall be deemed to be exported contrary to a
restriction for the time being in force with respect to it under this Act if it
is exported without the requisite notification having been given.
(3) Any person who fails to comply with any requirement imposed by the
regulations or, in purported compliance with any such requirement,
furnishes information which he knows to be false in a material particular
or recklessly furnishes information which is false in a material particular
is guilty of an offence and liable —
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both;
(b) on conviction on information to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine or both.
(4) No information obtained pursuant to the regulations shall be disclosed
except for the purposes of criminal proceedings or of proceedings under
the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2008.60

31 General provisions as to regulations

[P1971/38/31]
(1) Regulations made by the Department under any provision of this Act —
(a) may make different provision in relation to different controlled
drugs, different classes of persons, different provisions of this Act
or other different cases or circumstances; and
(b) may make the opinion, consent or approval of a prescribed
authority or of any person authorised in a prescribed manner
material for purposes of any provision of the regulations; and
(c) may contain such supplementary, incidental and transitional
provisions as appear expedient to the Department.61

(2) The Department shall not make any regulations under this Act except
after consultation with the Advisory Council.62

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 32


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 33

(3) Regulations under this Act shall not have effect until they have been
approved by Tynwald.
32 Power to amend Act by order

[1971/29/102]
(1) The Department may, from time to time by order, amend, vary or repeal
any provision of this Act in such manner as may appear to it expedient
for the purpose of making this enactment correspond (subject to such
modifications or adaptations as it may consider appropriate) with the
like enactments from time to time operating in the United Kingdom.63

(2) Any order made under subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the
order were an Act of Tynwald.
33 Application of UK orders, regulations and directions

[1971/29/104(1) and (2)]
(1) Without prejudice to the other powers of the Department to make orders
or regulations under this Act, the Department may, subject to such
modifications or adaptations, or both, as may be specified in the order,
by order apply to the Island the provisions of any order or regulations
made under any like enactments to this Act from time to time in force in
the United Kingdom.64

(1A) An order under subsection (1) may apply any such order or regulations
made under those enactments as may from time to time be in force in the
United Kingdom (that is, any regulations or order made after as well as
before the making of the order under subsection (1)).65

(2) Any order or regulations (whether made before or after this section takes
effect) applied by an order under subsection (1) above may be amended,
varied or revoked by an order or, as the case may be, regulations made
under this Act.
(3) Without prejudice to the power of the Department to give directions
under section 12 or 13 of this Act, the Department may, where the
Secretary of State has given a direction in respect of —
(a) any practitioner or pharmacist under section 12; or
(b) any doctor under section 13(1); or
(c) any practitioner under section 13(2),
of the UK Act direct that that direction shall have effect in relation to that
practitioner, pharmacist or doctor, as the case may be, as if the direction
had been duly given by the Department under section 12 or 13(1) or (2),
as the case may be, of this Act, and any direction given under this
subsection shall have effect accordingly from the date upon which it is
given.66

Section 34 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 34 AT 21 of 1976 c

34 Orders under ss 32 and 33 to be subject to approval of Tynwald

An order made under section 32 or 33 of this Act shall not have effect until it has
been approved by Tynwald
35 Research

[P1971/38/32]
The Department may conduct or assist in conducting research into any matter
relating to the misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs.67

36 Financial provisions

[P1971/38/35]
There shall be defrayed out of money provided by Tynwald any expenses
incurred by any Department under or in consequence of this Act.68

37 Meaning of “corresponding law”, and evidence of certain matters by

certificate

(1) In this Act, “corresponding law
” means —
(a) a law providing for the control and regulation in a country
outside the Island of the production, supply, use, export and
import of drugs and other substances in accordance with the
provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs signed at
New York on 30th March 1961; or
(b) a law providing for the control and regulation in that country of
the production, supply, use, export and import of dangerous or
otherwise harmful drugs in pursuance of any treaty, convention
or other agreement or arrangement to which the government of
that country and Her Majesty’s Government in the United
Kingdom are for the time being parties.
(2) A statement in a certificate purporting to be issued by or on behalf of the
government of a country outside the Island to the effect that —
(a) a law mentioned in the certificate is a corresponding law; or
(b) any facts constitute an offence against the law mentioned in the
certificate,
shall be evidence of the matters stated.69

38 Interpretation

[P1971/38/37]
(1) In this Act, except in so far as the context otherwise requires —
“the Advisory Council
” means the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
established under this Act;
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Section 38


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 35

“cannabis
” (except in the expression “cannabis resin”) means any plant of the
genus Cannabis or any part of any such plant (by whatever name
designed) except that it does not include cannabis resin or any of the
following products after separation from the rest of the plant, namely —
(a) mature stalk of any such plant;
(b) fibre produced from mature stalk of any such plant; and
(c) seed of any such plant;70

“cannabis resin
” means the separated resin, whether crude or purified,
obtained from any plant of the genus Cannabis;
“contravention
” includes failure to comply, and “contravene
” has a
corresponding meaning;
“controlled drug
” has the meaning assigned by section 2 of this Act;
“corresponding law
” has the meaning assigned by section 37(1) of this Act;
“the Customs and Excise Act
” means the Customs and Excise Act 1952 (an Act
of Parliament) as it had for the time being effect in the Island (whether by
virtue of section 308 thereof or by virtue of an order made under
section 1 of the Customs and Excise Acts (Application) Act 1975;71

“the Customs and Excise Management Act
” means the Customs and Excise
Management Act 1979 (an Act of Parliament) as it has effect for the time
being in the Island by virtue of an order made under section 1 of the said
Act of 1975;72

“dentist
” means a person registered in the dentists register under the Dentists
Act 1984(an Act of Parliament);73

“the Department
” means the Department of Health and Social Care;74

“the DHSS
” [Repealed]75

“doctor
” means a registered medical practitioner;76

“person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business
”, subject to
subsection (6) below, means a person lawfully conducting such a
business in accordance with section 35 of the Medicines Act 2003;77

“pharmacist
” has the same meaning as in the Medicines Act 2003;78

“practitioner
” means a doctor, dentist or veterinary surgeon;79

“prepared opium
” means opium prepared for smoking and includes dross and
any other residues remaining after opium has been smoked;
“prescribed
” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department under
this Act;80

“produce
”, where the reference is to producing a controlled drug, means
producing it by manufacture, cultivation or any other method, and
“production
” has a corresponding meaning;
Section 39 Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 36 AT 21 of 1976 c

“scheduled substance
” has the meaning assigned by section 4A(3) of this Act;81

“supplying
” includes distributing;
“UK Act
” means the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (an Act of Parliament);82

“veterinary practitioner
” [Repealed]83

“veterinary surgeon
” has the meaning given by section 1(1) of the Veterinary
Surgeons Act 2005.84

(2) References in this Act to misusing a drug are references to misusing it by
taking it; and the reference in the foregoing provision to the taking of a
drug is a reference to the taking of it by a human being by way of any
form of self-administration, whether or not involving assistance by
another.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, the things which a person has in his
possession shall be taken to include any thing subject to his control
which is in the custody of another.
(4) Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this
Act to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment
as amended or extended by or under any other enactment.
(5) Sections 182 and 183 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1986
(removal to or from the Island not to be exportation or importation) shall,
for the purposes of this Act, apply to the removal to or from the United
Kingdom from or to the Island as it applies for the purposes of that Act.85

(6) [Repealed]86

39 Savings and transitional provisions

[P1971/38/39]
(1) The savings and transitional provisions contained in Schedule 5 to this
Act shall have effect.
(2) [Repealed]87

40 Short title and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Misuse of Drugs Act 1976.
(2) This Act shall, subject to subsection (3) below, come into operation when
the Royal Assent thereto has been by the Governor announced to
Tynwald and a certificate thereof has been signed by the Governor and
the Speaker of the House of Keys.
(3) This section shall take effect on the coming into operation of this Act and
the remaining provisions of this Act shall take effect on such day or days
as the Governor may by order appoint, and different dates may be
appointed under this subsection for different purposes.88

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 1



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 37

SCHEDULE 1

CONSTITUTION ETC. OF ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE

MISUSE OF DRUGS

Section 1 [P1971/38/Sch 1]
1. (1) The members of the Advisory Council, of whom there shall be not less
than eight, shall be appointed by the Department after consultation with such
organisations as it considers appropriate, and shall include —
(a) in relation to each of the activities specified in sub-paragraph (2)
below, at least one person appearing to the Department to have
wide and recent experience of that activity; and89

(b) persons appearing to the Department to have wide and recent
experience of social problems connected with the misuse of
drugs.90

(2) The activities referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) above are —
(a) the practice of medicine (other than veterinary medicine);
(b) the practice of dentistry;
(c) the practice of veterinary medicine;
(d) the practice of pharmacy;
(e) chemistry other than pharmaceutical chemistry.
(3) The Department shall appoint one of the members of the Advisory
Council to be chairman of the Council.91

2. The Advisory Council may appoint committees, which may consist in part of
persons who are not members of the Council, to consider and report to the Council on
any matter referred to it by the Council.
3. At meetings of the Advisory Council the quorum shall be five, and subject to
that the Council may determine its own procedure.
4. The Treasury may, by order, prescribe the remuneration (if any) and the
travelling and other allowances which may be paid to the members of the Advisory
Council but no such order shall have effect until it has been approved by Tynwald.92

5. Any expenses incurred by the Advisory Council with the approval of the
Treasury shall be defrayed by the Treasury.93

Schedule 2
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 38 AT 21 of 1976 c

SCHEDULE 2
94

SCHEDULE 2A
95

SUBSTANCES USEFUL FOR MANUFACTURING

CONTROLLED DRUGS

Section 4A [Sch 2A inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3.]
TABLE I
Ephedrine
Ergometrine
Ergotamine
Lysergic acid
1-Phenyl-2-propanone
Pseudoephedrine
N-Acetylanthranilic acid
Insosafrole
3,4-Methylene-dioxyphenyl-2-propanone
Piperonal
Safrole
The salts of the substances listed in this Table whenever the existence of such salts is
possible.96

TABLE II
Acetic anhydride
Acetone
Anthranilic acid
Ethyl ether
Phenylacetic acid
Piperidine
Hydrochloric acid
Potassium Permanganate
Sulphuric Acid
Toluene
The salts of the substances listed in this Table except hydrochloric acid and sulphuric
acid whenever the existence of such salts is possible.97

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 2B



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 39

SCHEDULE 2B
98

ENFORCEMENT POWERS IN RESPECT OF SHIPS

Section 9D
Preliminary
1. (1) In this Schedule “an enforcement officer
” means —
(a) a constable;
(b) a proper officer within the meaning of the Customs and Excise
Management Act 1986; and
(c) any other person of a description specified in an order made for
the purposes of this Schedule by the Chief Minister.
(2) An order under sub-paragraph (1)(c) shall be laid before Tynwald.
(3) In this Schedule “the ship” means the ship in relation to which the
powers conferred by this Schedule are exercised.
Power to stop, board, divert and detain
2. (1) An enforcement officer may stop the ship, board it and, if he thinks it
necessary for the exercise of his functions, require it to be taken to a port in the Island
and detain it there.
(2) Where an enforcement officer is exercising his powers with the authority
of the Chief Minister given under section 9D of this Act the officer may require the ship
to be taken to a port in the Convention state in question or, if that state has so
requested, in any other country or territory willing to receive it.
(3) For any of those purposes he may require the master or any member of
the crew to take such action as may be necessary.
(4) If an enforcement officer detains a vessel he shall serve on the master a
notice in writing stating that it is to be detained until the notice is withdrawn by the
service on him of a further notice in writing signed by an enforcement officer.
Power to search and obtain information
3. (1) An enforcement officer may search the ship, anyone on it and anything
on it including its cargo.
(2) An enforcement officer may require any person on the ship to give
information concerning himself or anything on the ship.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of those powers an enforcement
officer may —
(a) open any containers;
(b) make tests and take samples of anything on the ship;
Schedule 2B
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 40 AT 21 of 1976 c

(c) require the production of documents, books or records relating to
the ship or anything on it;
(d) make photographs or copies of anything whose production he has
power to require.
Powers in respect of suspected offence
4. If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence
mentioned in section 9B or 9C of this Act has been committed on a ship to which that
section applies he may —
(a) arrest without warrant anyone whom he has reasonable grounds
for suspecting to be guilty of the offence; and
(b) seize and detain anything found on the ship which appears to him
to be evidence of the offence.
Assistants
5. (1) An enforcement officer may take with him, to assist him in exercising his
powers —
(a) any other person; and
(b) any equipment or materials.
(2) A person whom an enforcement officer takes with him to assist him may
perform any of the officer’s functions but only under the officer’s supervision.
Use of reasonable force
6. An enforcement officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the
performance of his functions.
Evidence of authority
7. An enforcement officer shall, if required, produce evidence of his authority.
Protection of officers
8. An enforcement officer shall not be liable in any civil or criminal proceedings
for anything done in the purported performance of his functions under this Schedule if
the court is satisfied that the act was done in good faith and that there were reasonable
grounds for doing it.
Offences
9. (1) A person is guilty of an offence if he —
(a) intentionally obstructs an enforcement officer in the performance
of any of his functions under this Schedule;
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 3



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 41

(b) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement
made by an enforcement officer in the performance of those
functions.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if, in purporting to give information
required by an officer for the performance of those functions, he —
(a) makes a statement which he knows to be false in a material
particular or recklessly makes a statement which is false in a
material particular; or
(b) intentionally fails to disclose any material particular.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
SCHEDULE 3

TRIBUNALS, ADVISORY BODIES AND PROFESSIONAL

PANELS

Section 16 [P1971/38/Sch 3]
PART I – TRIBUNALS

Membership
1. (1) A tribunal shall consist of five persons of whom —
(a) one shall be an advocate, barrister or solicitor of not less than
seven years’ standing appointed by the Department to be the
chairman of the tribunal; and99

(b) the other four shall be persons appointed by the Department from
among members of the respondent’s profession nominated for the
purposes of this Schedule by any of the relevant bodies
mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) below, but at least two of those
persons shall be members of the respondents profession not
residing in the Island.100

(2) The relevant bodies aforesaid are —
(a) where the respondent is a doctor, the Isle of Man Medical Society;
(b) where the respondent is a dentist, the Isle of Man Dental
Association;
(c) where the respondent is a veterinary surgeon, the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association.101

Schedule 3
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 42 AT 21 of 1976 c

Procedure
2. The quorum of a tribunal shall be the chairman and two other members of the
tribunal.
3. Proceedings before a tribunal shall be held in private unless the respondent
requests otherwise and the tribunal accedes to the request.
4. (1) Subject to paragraph 5 below, the Deemsters may make rules as to the
procedure to be followed, and the rules of evidence to be observed, in proceedings
before tribunals, and in particular —
(a) for securing that notice that the proceedings are to be brought
shall be given to the respondent at such time and in such manner
as may be specified by the rules;
(b) for determining who, in addition to the respondent, shall be a
party to the proceedings;
(c) for securing that any party to the proceedings shall, if he so
requires, be entitled to be heard by the tribunal;
(d) for enabling any party to the proceedings to be represented by an
advocate.
(2) Rules under this paragraph shall not have effect until they have been
approved by Tynwald.
5. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Schedule, a tribunal may regulate its
own procedure.
6. The validity of the proceedings of a tribunal shall not be affected by any defect
in the appointment of a member of the tribunal or by reason of the fact that a person
not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.
Financial provisions
7. The Treasury may pay to any member of a tribunal fees and travelling and other
allowances in respect of his services in accordance with such scales and subject to such
conditions as the Treasury may determine.102

8. The Treasury may pay to any person who attends as a witness before the
tribunal sums by way of compensation for the loss of his time and travelling and other
allowances in accordance with such scales and subject to such conditions as may be
determined as aforesaid.103

9. If a tribunal recommends to the Department that the whole or part of the
expenses properly incurred by the respondent for the purposes of proceedings before
the tribunal should be defrayed out of public funds, the Treasury shall make to the
respondent such payments in respect of those expenses as the Treasury considers
appropriate.104

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 3



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 43

10. Any expenses incurred by a tribunal with the approval of the Treasury shall be
defrayed by the Treasury.105

Supplemental
11. The Department shall make available to a tribunal such accommodation, the
services of such officers and such other facilities as it considers appropriate for the
purpose of enabling the tribunal to perform its functions.106

PART II – ADVISORY BODIES

Membership
12. An advisory body shall consist of three persons of whom —
(a) one shall be a Deemster, or a person who is counsel to Her
Majesty, and is appointed by the Governor to be the Chairman of
the advisory body;
(b) another shall be a person appointed by the Governor, who is a
medical practitioner and is an officer of a Government
Department of either the Government or of the Home Department
of the Government of the United Kingdom; and
(c) the other shall be a person appointed by the Governor from
among the members of the respondent’s profession nominated as
mentioned in paragraph 1 above.
Procedure
13. The respondent shall be entitled to appear before, and be heard by, the advisory
body either in person or by an advocate.
14. Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, an advisory body may
regulate its own procedure.
Application of provisions of Part I
15. Paragraphs 3, 6, 7 and 9 to 11 above shall apply in relation to an advisory body
as they apply in relation to a tribunal.
PART III – PROFESSIONAL PANELS

Membership
16. A professional panel shall consist of a chairman and two other persons
appointed by the Department from among the members of the respondent’s profession
Schedule 4
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 44 AT 21 of 1976 c

after consultation with such one or more of the relevant bodies mentioned in
paragraph 1(2) above as the Department considers appropriate.107

Procedure
17. The respondent shall be entitled to appear before, and be heard by, the
professional panel either in person or by an advocate.
18. Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, a professional panel may
regulate its own procedure.
Application of provisions of Part I
19. Paragraphs 3, 6 and 7 above shall apply in relation to a professional panel as
they apply in relation to a tribunal.
SCHEDULE 4

PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF OFFENCES

Section 25 [P1971/38/Sch 4]108

Section

Creating

Offence

General Nature

of Offence

Mode of

Production

Punishment

Class A Drug
involved
Class B
Drug
involved
Class C
Drug
involved
General
Section 4(2) Production, or
being concerned
in the production,
of a controlled
drug.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
Life or a fine,
or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 4(3) Supplying or
offering to supply
a controlled drug
or being
concerned in the
doing of either
activity by
another.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
Life or a fine,
or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 5(2) Having
possession of a
controlled drug.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
7 years or a
fine, or both.
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
5 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 5(3) Having
possession of a
controlled drug
with intent to
supply it to
another.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
Life or a fine,
or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 4



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 45

Section

Creating

Offence

General Nature

of Offence

Mode of

Production

Punishment

Class A Drug
involved
Class B
Drug
involved
Class C
Drug
involved
General
Section 6(2) Cultivation of
cannabis plant.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
12 months
or £2,500,
or both.
14 years or
a fine, or
both.
Section 8 Being the
occupier, or
concerned in the
management, of
premises and
permitting or
suffering certain
activities to take
place there.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 9 Offences relating
to opium
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
12 months
or £5,000,
or both.
14 years or
a fine, or
both.
Section 9A Prohibition of
supply etc. of
articles for
administering
controlled drugs.
(a) Summary —

—

—

6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
Section 11(2) Contravention of
directions relating
to safe custody of
controlled drugs.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 12(6) Contravention of
direction
prohibiting
practitioner etc.
from possessing,
supplying etc.
controlled drugs.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 13(3) Contravention of
direction
prohibiting
practitioner etc.
from prescribing,
supplying etc.
controlled drugs.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
12 months or
£5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or both.
12 months
or £5,000, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.
6 months or
£2,500, or
both.
14 years or a
fine, or
both.

Section 17(3) Failure to comply
with notice
requiring
information
relating to
prescribing,
supply etc. of
drugs.
(a) Summary — — — £1,000
Schedule 4
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 46 AT 21 of 1976 c

Section

Creating

Offence

General Nature

of Offence

Mode of

Production

Punishment

Class A Drug
involved
Class B
Drug
involved
Class C
Drug
involved
General
Section 17(4) Giving false
information in
purported
compliance with
notice requiring
information
relating to
prescribing,
supply etc. of
drugs.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 18(1) Contravention of
regulations (other
than regulations
relating to
addicts).
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 18(2) Contravention of
terms of licence
or other authority
(other than
licence issued
under regulations
relating to
addicts).
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 18(3) Giving false
information in
purported
compliance with
obligation to give
information
imposed under or
by virtue of
regulations.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 18(4) Giving false
information, or
producing
document etc.
containing false
statement etc., for
purposes of
obtaining issue or
renewal of a
licence or other
authority.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.
Section 20 Assisting in or
inducing
commission
outside the Island
of an offence
punishable under
a corresponding
law.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
12 months
or £5,000,
or both.
14 years or
a fine, or
both.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Schedule 5



c AT 21 of 1976 Page 47

Section

Creating

Offence

General Nature

of Offence

Mode of

Production

Punishment

Class A Drug
involved
Class B
Drug
involved
Class C
Drug
involved
General
Section 23(4) Obstructing
exercise of
powers of search
etc. or concealing
books, drugs etc.
(a) Summary
(b) On information
—
—
—
—
—
—
6 months or
£5,000, or
both.
2 years or a
fine, or
both.

SCHEDULE 5

SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Section 39(1) [P1971/38/Sch 5]
1. (1) Any addiction regulations which could have been made under this Act
shall not be invalidated by any repeal effected by this Act but shall have effect as if
made under the provisions of this Act which correspond to the provisions under which
the regulations were made; and the validity of any licence issued under any such
addiction regulations shall not be affected by any such repeal.
(2) Any order, rule or other instrument or document whatsoever made or
issued, any direction given, and any other thing done, under or by virtue of any of the
following provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1971 that is to say section 1(2), 2 or 3
or the Schedule, shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been made,
issued or done, as the case may be, under the corresponding provision of this Act; and
anything begun under any of the said provisions of that Act may be continued under
this Act as if begun under this Act.
(3) In this paragraph, “addiction regulations” means any regulations made
under section 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1966 which include provision for any of
the matters for which regulations may be so made by virtue of section 1(1) of the said
Act of 1971.
2. As from the coming into operation of section 3 of this Act, any licence granted
for the purpose of section 5 of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Isle of Man) Act 1965 or
sections 2, 3 or 10 of the said Act of 1966 shall have effect as if granted for the purpose
of section 3(2) of this Act.
3. (1) The Governor may, at any time before the coming into operation of
section 12 of this Act, give a direction under subsection (2) of that section in respect of
any practitioner or pharmacist whose general authority under the Dangerous Drugs
Regulations is for the time being withdrawn; but a direction given by virtue of this sub-
paragraph shall not take effect until section 12 comes into operation, and shall not take
effect at all if the general authority of the person concerned is restored before that
section comes into operation.
Schedule 6
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 48 AT 21 of 1976 c

(2) No direction under section 12(2) of this Act shall be given by virtue of
sub-paragraph (1) above in respect of a person while the withdrawal of his general
authority under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations is suspended; but where, in the case
of any practitioner or pharmacist whose general authority has been withdrawn, the
withdrawal is suspended at the time when section 12 comes into operation, the
Governor may at any time give a direction under section 12(2) in respect of him by
virtue of this sub-paragraph unless the Governor has previously caused to be served
on him a notice stating that he is no longer liable to have such a direction given in
respect of him by virtue of this sub-paragraph.
(3) In this paragraph, “the Dangerous Drugs Regulations” means the
Dangerous Drugs Regulations 1965.
4. Subject to paragraphs 1 to 3 above, and without prejudice to the generality of
section 31(1)(c) of this Act, regulations made by the Governor under any provision of
this Act may include such provision as the Governor thinks fit for effecting the
transition from any provision made by or by virtue of any of the enactments repealed
by this Act to any provision made by or by virtue of this Act, and in particular may
provide for the continuation in force, with or without modifications, of any licence or
other authority issued or having effect as if issued under or by virtue of any of those
enactments.
5. For purposes of the enforcement of the enactments repealed by this Act as
regards anything done or omitted before their repeal, any powers of search, entry,
inspection, seizure or detention conferred by those enactments shall continue to be
exercisable as if those enactments were still in force.
6. The mention of particular matters in this Schedule shall not prejudice the
general application of section 10(2) of the Interpretation Act 1970 with regard to the
effect of repeals.
SCHEDULE 6
109

Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Endnotes


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 49

ENDNOTES

Table of Legislation History

Legislation Year and No Commencement






Table of Renumbered Provisions

Original Current






Table of Endnote References

1
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1, by
SD582/99, by SD155/10 Sch 4 and by SD2014/08. 2
Subs (4) substituted by Education Act 2001 Sch 10 and amended by SD155/10 Sch 10. 3
Subs (5) added by Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 3. 4
Subs (6) added by Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 3. 5
Para (a) substituted by SD309/13. 6
S 2 substituted by Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 4. 7
Para (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 8
S 4A inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 9
Subs (1) amended by GC55/88. Para (b) amended by Interpretation Act 1976 s 16A. 10
Para (a) amended by GC55/88. 11
Para (a) amended by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005 Schs 2 and 3. 12
Subs (3) amended by GC55/88 and by Interpretation Act 1976 s 16A. Para (b)
amended by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005 Schs 2 and 3. 13
Para (b) amended by GC55/88. 14
Subs (4) amended by GC55/88 and by Interpretation Act 1976 s 16A. 15
Subs (5) amended by GC55/88. 16
S 9A inserted by Drugs Trafficking Offences Act 1987 s 26. 17
S 9B inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 18
S 9C inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 19
S 9D inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 20
Subs (1) amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1997 Sch 1.
Endnotes Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 50 AT 21 of 1976 c

21
Definition of “drug trafficking offence” substituted by Proceeds of Crime Act 2008
Sch 7. 22
S 9E inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 23
Subs (1) amended by GC55/88 and by Interpretation Act 1976 s 16A. 24
Para (i) amended by SD582/99. 25
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 26
Para (b) amended by GC38/79 and by Customs and Excise Management Act 1986 Sch
4. 27
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 28
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 29
Subs (4) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 30
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 31
Subs (2) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 32
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 33
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 34
Subs (5) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. Para (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and
by SD582/99. 35
Subs (6) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 36
Subs (7) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 37
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 38
Para (a) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 39
Subs (2) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. Para (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and
by SD582/99. 40
Subs (4) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 41
Subs (6) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 42
Para (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Endnotes


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 51

43
Para (d) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 44
Subs (2) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and by SD582/99. 45
Para (a) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1. 46
Para (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1. 47
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 48
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1, by
SD582/99 and by Medicines Act 2003 Sch 3. 49
Subpara (ii) amended by Customs and Excise Management Act 1986 Sch 4. 50
S 22 amended by GC55/88. 51
Subs (1) amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1997 Sch 1. 52
Subs (3A) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3 and amended by Proceeds of
Crime Act 2008 Sch 9. 53
S 24 repealed by Police Powers and Procedures Act 1998 Sch 5. 54
S 26 repealed by GC38/79. 55
Subs (1) amended by Criminal Justice Act 1990 s 31. 56
Subs (1A) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1990 s 31. Para (b) substituted by Proceeds
of Crime Act 2008 Sch 7. 57
Subs (3) added by Proceeds of Crime Act 2008 Sch 7. 58
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 59
S 30 amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 60
S 30A inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. Subs (4) amended by Proceeds of
Crime Act 2008 Sch 7. 61
Subs (1) amended by GC55/88. Para (c) amended by GC55/88. 62
Subs (2) amended by GC55/88. 63
Subs (1) amended by GC55/88 and by Interpretation Act 1976 s 16A. 64
Subs (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
GC55/88. 65
Subs (1A) inserted by Statute Law Revision Act 1992 Sch 1. 66
Subs (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1, by SD582/99
and by Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 5(2). 67
S 35 amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by SD582/99. 68
S 36 amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1997 Sch 1. 69
S 37 substituted by Anti-Terrorism and Crime Act 2003 Sch 14. 70
Definition of “cannabis” substituted by GC14/78. 71
Definition of “the Customs and Excise Act” substituted by GC38/79. 72
Definition of “the Customs and Excise Management Act” inserted by GC38/79. 73
Definition of “dentist” amended by Dental Act 1985 Sch 1.
Endnotes Misuse of Drugs Act 1976


Page 52 AT 21 of 1976 c

74
Definition of “the Department” substituted by GC582/99 and amended by Misuse of
Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 5(1), by SD359/11 and by SD2014/08. 75
Definition of “the DHSS” repealed by SD582/99. 76
Definition of “doctor” substituted by Health Care Professionals Act 2014 s 14. 77
Definition of “person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business” amended by
Medicines Act 2003 Sch 3. 78
Definition of “pharmacist” amended by Medicines Act 2003 Sch 3. 79
Definition of “practitioner” substituted by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005 Sch 2. 80
Definition of “prescribed” amended by GC55/88. 81
Definition of “scheduled substance” inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 82
Definition of “UK Act” inserted by Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2010 s 5(1). 83
Definition of “veterinary practitioner” repealed by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005
Schs 2 and 3.] 84
Definition of “veterinary surgeon” substituted by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005 Sch
2. 85
Subs (5) amended by Customs and Excise Management Act 1986 Sch 4. 86
Subs (6) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1997 Sch 2. 87
Subs (2) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1983 Sch 2. 88
ADO (whole Act except this section) 1/2/1978 (GC16/78). 89
Item (a) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 90
Subpara (1) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and
by SD582/99. Item (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1
and by SD582/99. 91
Subpara (3) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 92
Para 4 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2. 93
Para 5 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2. 94
Sch 2 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1992 Sch 2. 95
Sch 2A inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3 96
Table I amended by SD440/96. 97
Table II amended by SD440/96. 98
Sch 2B inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch 3. 99
Item (a) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 100
Item (b) amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 101
Item (c) amended by Veterinary Surgeons Act 2005 Schs 2 and 3. 102
Para 7 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2. 103
Para 8 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2. 104
Para 9 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2, by Transfer of Governor’s Functions
Act 1992 Sch 1 and by SD582/99.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 Endnotes


c AT 21 of 1976 Page 53

105
Para 10 amended by Treasury Act 1985 Sch 2. 106
Para 11 amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 s 1 and Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 107
Para 16 amended by Transfer of Governor’s Functions Act 1992 Sch 1 and by
SD582/99. 108
Sch 4 amended by Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1987 s 26 and s 29 and by
SD309/13. 109
Sch 6 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1983 Sch 2.