Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the devolved administrations, and (2) the government of the Republic of Ireland, about legal high psychoactive substances.

The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) made it an offence (with limited exceptions) to supply, possess with intent to supply, produce, import or export psychoactive substances. Substances that were previously referred to informally as “legal highs” have been subject to these provisions since the 2016 Act came into force, provided they satisfy the definition of a psychoactive substance and are not exempt under the 2016 Act.

The Home Office regularly engages with the government of the Republic of Ireland on a wide range of topics and we continue to engage with Devolved Administrations on drugs policy. In February this year, the Crime and Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse, held a UK Drugs Summit, bringing together experts and Ministers from all four nations of the United Kingdom. A follow up UK Drugs Ministerial took place in September, continuing the conversation on drug misuse with Ministers and eminent experts from across the UK