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New drug-driving laws UK: Which substances are limited and what are the consequences?

Nine prescription drugs have been set limits for drivers

Sunday 01 March 2015 16:00 GMT

Detection of drugs would be carried out with roadside 'drugalysers' – which work similar to breathalysers (Getty Images)

New rules on driving under the effects of drugs will come into effect from today.

Drivers are to expect prosecution if they are caught having used illegal drugs or if they exceed the new limits for nine prescription drugs from Monday.

Which drugs does the ban include?

These are:

Amphetamine 250µg/L

Clonazepam 50µg/L

Diazepam 550µg/L

Flunitrazepam 300µg/L

Lorazepam 100µg/L

Methadone 500µg/L

Morphine 80µg/L

Oxazepam 300µg/L

Temazepam 1,000µg/L

Where cannabis is and isn't legal

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1/10Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Where cannabis is and isn't legal

UK

Having been reclassified in 2009 from a Class C to a Class B drug, cannabis is now the most used illegal drug within the United Kingdom. The UK is also, however, the only country where Sativex – a prescribed drug that helps to combat muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis and contains some ingredients that are also found in cannabis - is licensed as a treatment

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

North Korea

Although many people believe the consumption of cannabis in North Korea to be legal, the official law regarding the drug has never been made entirely clear whilst under Kim Jong Un’s regime. However, it is said that the North Korean leader himself has openly said that he does not consider cannabis to be a drug and his regime doesn’t take any issue with the consumption or sale of the drug

MARCEL VAN HOORN/AFP/Getty Images

Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Netherlands

In the Netherlands smoking cannabis is legal, given that it is smoked within the designated ‘smoking areas’ and you don’t possess more than 5 grams for personal use. It is also legal to sell the substance, but only in specified coffee shops

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

USA

Although in some states of America cannabis has now been legalised, prior to the legalisation, police in the U.S. could make a marijuana-related arrest every 42 seconds, according to US News and World Report. The country also used to spend around $3.6 billion a year enforcing marijuana law, the American Civil Liberties Union notes

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Spain

Despite cannabis being officially illegal in Spain, the European hotspot has recently started to be branded, ‘the new Amsterdam’. This is because across Spain there are over 700 ‘Cannabis Clubs’ – these are considered legal venues to consume cannabis in because the consumption of the drug is in private, and not in public. These figures have risen dramatically in the last three years – in 2010 there were just 40 Cannabis Clubs in the whole of Spain. Recent figures also show that in Catalonia alone there are 165,000 registered members of cannabis clubs – this amounts to over 5 million euros (£4 million) in revenue each month

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Uruguay

In December 2013, the House of Representatives and Senate passed a bill legalizing and regulating the production and sale of the drug. But the president has since postponed the legalization of cannabis until to 2015 and when it is made legal, it will be the authorities who will grow the cannabis that can be sold legally. Buyers must be 18 or older, residents of Uruguay, and must register with the authorities

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Pakistan

Despite the fact that laws prohibiting the sale and misuse of cannabis exist and is considered a habit only entertained by lower-income groups, it is very rarely enforced. The occasional use of cannabis in community gatherings is broadly tolerated as a centuries old custom. The open use of cannabis by Sufis and Hindus as a means to induce euphoria has never been challenged by the state. Further, large tracts of cannabis grow unchecked in the wild

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Portugal

In 2001, Portugal became the first country in the world to decriminalize the use of all drugs, and started treating drug users as sick people, instead of criminals. However, you can still be arrested or assigned mandatory rehab if you are caught several times in possession of drugs

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Where cannabis is and isn't legal

Puerto Rico

Although the use of cannabis is currently illegal, it is said that Puerto Rico are in the process of decriminalising it

RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images

Where cannabis is and isn't legal

China

Cannabis is grown in the wild and has been used to treat conditions such as gout and malaria. But, officially the substance is illegal to consume, possess and sell

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What if you take a listed prescribed drug?

Government guidelines state that medication should be taken as advised by a doctor and driving should only be done within the limits.

Proof of using the specific legal drug, such as the container, should be kept in the car in case of being stopped by police.

What are the consequences?

The penalties for drug-driving are the same as for drink-driving.

A conviction could carry up to a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, a fine of up to £5000 or up to 6 months in prison – or both.