Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law: Proposed classification changes

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A decision made on 17 December 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2013-0057
Decision Summary Title :	Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed classification of ethylphenidate and additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B Controlled Drugs		Date of Decision Summary:	16th December 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Chief Pharmacist		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed classification of ethylphenidate and additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B Controlled Drugs		Date of Written Report:	16th December 2013
Written Report Author:	Chief Pharmacist		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed classification of ethylphenidate and additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B Controlled Drugs
Decision(s): The Minister endorsed the recommendations of the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council and accordingly determined that an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978, as amended, should be prepared that would classify ethylphenidate and four additional synthetic cannabinoids as controlled drugs.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council has recommended that ethylphenidate and four additional synthetic cannabinoids be classified as controlled drugs under the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978
Resource Implications: None
Action required: The Law Draftsman to be requested to prepare the necessary amendment on the basis of a drafting brief to be provided by the Chief Pharmacist.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law: Proposed classification changes

STATES OF JERSEY

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978

Proposed classification of ethylphenidate and additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B Controlled Drugs

Issue

The Minister is requested to consider classifying ethylphenidate and four additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B controlled drugs under the control of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978.

Introduction

The Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council (MDAC) is established in accordance with Article 2 of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 and has a duty to advise the Minister on measures, which in its opinion, should be taken to prevent the misuse of drugs and/or to deal with the social problems connected with drug abuse.

Background

The MDAC has recently given consideration to a proposal to reclassify ethylphenidate and four additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B controlled drugs. Ethylphenidate is structurally related to the Class B controlled drug methylphenidate and possesses a similar pharmacological profile. There is evidence of an emerging problem in Jersey with these substances and the MDAC has recommended that they be controlled as quickly as possible

The MDAC recommends that the substances listed below be placed in Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 (Class B Drugs); in Paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2009; and in Part 1 of the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Jersey) Order 1989.

The substances are:

Ethylphenidate
N-adamantyl-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AKB-48),
N-adamantyl-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (5F-AKB-48),
N-adamantyl-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (STS-135)
Quinolin-8-yl-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (5F-PB-22).

Recommendation

The Minister is requested to endorse the recommendations of the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council to classify ethylphenidate and four additional synthetic cannabinoids as a Class B controlled drugs under the control of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 and to direct the Chief Pharmacist to prepare a brief for consideration by the Law Draftsman.