You can get a fine or prison sentence if you take, carry, make or sell drugs or psychoactive substances. The penalties depend on the drug and the amount you have, and whether you’re also dealing or producing the drug.
Potential Penalties for each class of drugs
The maximum penalties for drug possession, supply (dealing) and production depend on what type or ‘class’ the drug is.
| Class | Possession | Supply and production | |
| A | Up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both | Up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both | |
| B | Up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both | Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both | |
| C | Up to 2 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both (except anabolic steroids – it’s not an offence to possess them for personal use) | Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both | |
| Temporary class drugs* | None, but police can take away a suspected temporary class drug | Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both |
*The government can ban new drugs for 1 year under a ‘temporary banning order’ while they decide how the drugs should be classified.
If convicted your penalty will depend on:
- the class and quantity of drug
- where you and the drugs were found
- your personal history (previous crimes, including any previous drug offences)
- other aggravating or mitigating factors