Drug Foundation - Drug classification

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Ross — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Hot topics: alcohol | drug law review

The Government and its agencies, Parliament and other organisations often seek comment and input into drug policy issues. This might be in the form of consultations or inviting submissions to select committees, or seeking expert comment on draft policies.

Party pill ban bill introduced

Ross — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:48:25 +1200

Release date:

22 Aug 2007

Media release summary:

Associate Minister of Health and Leader of the Progressive Party Jim Anderton has announced the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill to in the House today.

Media release:

Press release: Hon Jim Anderton, Associate Minister of Health
22 August 2007

Associate Minister of Health and Leader of the Progressive Party Jim Anderton has announced the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill to in the House today.

“I am pleased to announce that the Bill to ban BZP and related party pills has been given sufficient cross-party support to be introduced, progressed, and in force by Christmas,” Jim Anderton said.

"The Bill has a commencement date of 18 December 2007, which means, if it is passed without alteration by Parliament, BZP will be banned from that date. Therefore, anyone supplying, manufacturing and exporting these products will be liable to a penalty of up to a maximum of eight years imprisonment from 18 December 2007,” Jim Anderton said.

Those found in possession of a Class C1 drug are normally liable to a maximum of three months imprisonment and/or up to a $500 fine. “However, Cabinet was mindful that these products have been legally available for some years, so the Bill includes provision for an amnesty for possession of less than five grams for personal use. With a commencement date of 18 December 2007 the amnesty will be up on 17 June 2008," Jim Anderton said.

Stay updated on this issue, including with information on making a submission to the bill, by visiting our Get Active page.

Reclassification of bzp (Submission)

Ross — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +1300

In 2004 Mr Anderton asked the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to review recent New Zealand research on benzylpiperazine (BZP), the main ingredient in most party pills. The official EACD report was released by Mr Anderton on 20 December 2006. It recommended BZP be classified as C1 under the Misuse of Drugs Act alongside drugs such as cannabis. It is illegal to possess or sell Class C drugs.

Health Select Committee report on Misuse of Drugs Act May 2005

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:01:10 +1300

Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 3) (186-2) and Supplementary Order Paper 298 (23 May 2005)

The bill as introduced amends two main areas of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the principal Act) and the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1978 (the amendment Act). The bill allows presumption of supply matters to be amended by Order in Council, subject to an affirmative resolution procedure. It also amends the presumption of supply quantity for methamphetamine, and adds a Ministry of Justice official to the membership of the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs.

Health Select Committee report on drug classification changes April 2003

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:18:53 +1300

Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2003 (9 April 2003)

The Health Committee has examined the Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2003 and recommends that the related notice of motion be approved.

Summary of research on party pills

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:16:43 +1300

This paper summarises recent research findings on BZP/party pills, and outlines the current legislative status of BZP. It is being made available to assist organisations or people wanting to make submissions on the proposal to reclassify BZP and its analogues.

Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD)

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:06:50 +1300

The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2000 (the Act) established the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to provide expert advice to the Minister of Health regarding drug classification issues.

Health Select Committee report on ephedrine and pseudoephedrine December 2003

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:53:53 +1300

Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003 (17 December 2003)

The Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003:

classifies pseudoephedrine preparations containing not more than 60 milligrams a dosage unit as a Class C3 drug

read more

Health Select Committtee report on amphetamine supply 2005

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:48:03 +1300

Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2005 and Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply Amphetamine) Order 2005.

The Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2005 changes the classification of amphetamine (commonly known as speed) and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) from Class B2 to Class B1. The Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply Amphetamine) Order 2005 lowers, from 56 grams to 5 grams, the amount at which amphetamine is presumed to be for supply.