Mephedrone ban comes into force
By politics.co.uk staff
It is now illegal to possess or sell mephedrone.
The previously-legal high, also known as meow-meow, has been classified as a class B drug, like cannabis, after legislation was rushed through parliament before it was dissolved for the election.
The move came after media calls to ban the stimulant after its use was linked to the deaths of a number of teenagers last month.
The Advisory Council for Misuse of Drugs, which advises the government on drugs policy, said the amphetamine-like substance was “likely to be harmful”.
While possession could carry a prison sentence of five years, chief police officers have said they don’t wish to criminalise teenagers found with the drug, but they will be targeting suppliers.
Dealers could be sent to prison for 14 years.
Before the ban came into force, trading standards officers have helped shops to clear their shelves of supplies and a number of websites advertising the drug, also known as ‘plant food’, have closed down.
Two members of the government’s advisory body resigned over the decision to ban the drug.
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