I propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 179, 196, 197 and 204 together.
In the light of the health risks associated with some of the products being sold in so-called "head shops", the Government has agreed to the introduction of regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 which will introduce controls on a range of substances which are currently on sale in head shops. The substances concerned include:
synthetic cannabinoids (SPICE products);
benzylpiperazine (BZP) derivatives;
mephedrone, methylone and related cathinones;
4-methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA);
GBL and 1,4 BD.
In accordance with EU law, it is necessary to notify the European Commission of the proposed regulations and this imposes a 3 month stand-still period on the making of the regulations. The regulations were notified in early April and allowing for the stand-still period will be implemented at end June/early July. Following the introduction of the regulations, the possession and sale of these substances, other than GBL and 1,4BD, will be illegal and subject to criminal sanctions under the Misuse of Drugs Act while the possession and sale of the latter substances will be confined to use in legitimate industrial processes only.
With regard to the suggestion that all substances sold in Headshops should be deemed to be illegal until they have been assessed by the authorities, this is not possible under current legislation. However, my colleagues the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform are urgently examining a range of possible approaches to the regulation of head shops. This may involve making it a criminal offence to supply unregulated psychotropic substances.