United Kingdom
Two types of offence (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 s.5):
· Possession
· Possession with intent to supply
Punishment is linked to the class of drugs involved (A, B, C, with Class A substances being considered the most harmful), and whether sentencing is by a Magistrate’s Court (summary) or in a Crown Court (on indictment).
· Possession
Class A drugs (Crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone, methamphetamine): up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 7 years imprisonment (on indictment);
Class B (Amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, codeine, ketamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones): up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 5 years (on indictment);
Class C (Anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines (diazepam), gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), piperazines (BZP), khat): up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 2 years (on indictment).
· Possession with intent to supply
Class A drugs: up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); life (on indictment);
Class B: up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 14 years (on indictment);
Class C: up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 14 years (on indictment)
Portugal
Possession may be for personal use, or not. If a limited quantity, possession for personal use of any type of drug is an administrative offence (Law 30/2000, Article 2), and can be settled by a suspension, referral to treatment, counselling or a sanction such as a fine, as a last resort for non addicted users, or non-pecuniary penalties for addicted users. The law also recognises the specific case of user-dealers.
Punishment for traffickers (under the Decree-Law 15/93 Arts.21-26) depends on the substance.
· For personal use (less than 10 daily doses): administrative offence, dealt with by the CDTs (Commissions for Dissuasion from Drug Abuse). Sanctions can be administered, e.g. fines, but priority is treatment/harm prevention.
· In cases other than the above:, 4-12 yrs; or 1-5 yrs imprisonment, depending on the substance.
(Source: EMCDDA/www.gov.u)
Two types of offence (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 s.5):
· Possession
· Possession with intent to supply
Punishment is linked to the class of drugs involved (A, B, C, with Class A substances being considered the most harmful), and whether sentencing is by a Magistrate’s Court (summary) or in a Crown Court (on indictment).
· Possession
Class A drugs (Crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone, methamphetamine): up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 7 years imprisonment (on indictment);
Class B (Amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, codeine, ketamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones): up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 5 years (on indictment);
Class C (Anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines (diazepam), gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), piperazines (BZP), khat): up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 2 years (on indictment).
· Possession with intent to supply
Class A drugs: up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); life (on indictment);
Class B: up to 6 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 14 years (on indictment);
Class C: up to 3 months and/or a fine (summary); up to 14 years (on indictment)
Portugal
Possession may be for personal use, or not. If a limited quantity, possession for personal use of any type of drug is an administrative offence (Law 30/2000, Article 2), and can be settled by a suspension, referral to treatment, counselling or a sanction such as a fine, as a last resort for non addicted users, or non-pecuniary penalties for addicted users. The law also recognises the specific case of user-dealers.
Punishment for traffickers (under the Decree-Law 15/93 Arts.21-26) depends on the substance.
· For personal use (less than 10 daily doses): administrative offence, dealt with by the CDTs (Commissions for Dissuasion from Drug Abuse). Sanctions can be administered, e.g. fines, but priority is treatment/harm prevention.
· In cases other than the above:, 4-12 yrs; or 1-5 yrs imprisonment, depending on the substance.
(Source: EMCDDA/www.gov.u)