Drug classifications

The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) controls drugs by dividing them into categories (A, B and C) depending on how dangerous the drugs were thought to be at the time of legislation.

Class A drugs include:

Cocaine/Crack
Crystal meth
LSD (acid)
Heroin
Methadone
Morphine
Opium
Ecstasy
Cannabis Oil
Magic Mushrooms

Class B drugs include:

Amphetamine
Ritalin
Barbiturates

Class C drugs include:

Cannabis
Steroids
Tranquillisers
Ketamine

Cannabis Classification Latest

The government's decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on 7 May 2008. The necessary legislation will be debated in both House of Parliament this autumn and, if approved, reclassification will take effect from 26 January 2009. Until the reclassification is approved, cannabis remains a Class C drug.

The decision follows a review of cannabis classification which was carried out by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) at the request of the Prime Minister.