Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 is a law in the United Kingdom intended to restrict the production, sale and supply of a new class of psychoactive substances often referred to as 'legal highs'. The bill was given Royal Assent on 28 January 2016, and came into force on 26 May 2016 across the entire United Kingdom. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 is a law in the United Kingdom intended to restrict the production, sale and supply of a new class of psychoactive substances often referred to as 'legal highs'. The bill was given Royal Assent on 28 January 2016, and came into force on 26 May 2016 across the entire United Kingdom. The law defines as a 'psychoactive substance' anything which 'by stimulating or depressing the person’s central nervous system ... affects the person’s mental functioning or emotional state'. The law bans all such substances but exempts alcohol, tobacco or nicotine-based products, caffeine, food and drink, medicinal products and any drug that is already regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.