CLASS B

Possession of Class B drugs can result in 5 years in prison plus unlimited fine.

Possession with intent to supply can result in 14 years plus unlimited fine.

Speed (Amphetamine Sulphate) is a Class B stimulant drug. First synthized in 1883, it was originally used to make soldiers more alert and aggressive. It also suppresses appetite and can result in insomnia. It can come in pill form, but is normally a yellow, pink or grey powder. It is usually mixed with other substances to maximize profits. 

Cannabis Resin- many people are confused as to the legal position of cannabis, and this has not been helped by the mixed messages that government action has been sending out over the past few years. Initially Class B under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, it was reclassified in Jan 2004 as a Class C. However despite advice from the ACMD and other leading experts in the drugs field, the government reclassified it as a B again from January 26th 2009.

Cannabis causes users to fell high, and in many cases they can become drowsy, giggly and seem to be thinking and talking more slowly, often talking nonsense and finding silly things far funnier than they really are. This condition is known as being "stoned".

Cannabis is normally smoked with tobacco in a joint or a pipe, or the smoke inhaled through bongs or other techniques such as Hot Knifing or Buckets. It is occasionally cooked into other foodstuffs and eaten, although this means that the user is less able to control the amount of cannabis they take into their body and cannot stop ingesting if they feel they are having too much.

Cannabis use has been linked to mental health issues in some people, although whether as a cause or as a trigger has yet to be comprehensively established. It has been linked to depression, mood swing and in rare cases Cannabis Induced Psychosis which has resulted in violent behaviour.

Recent reports have indicated an increase in the use of "Skunk" which is a specially cultivated form of cannabis that is generally regarded as more potent that resin. The vast majority of cannabis used in the UK is now grown in the country, with as little as 5% now coming from abroad, which is a massive change in the way cannabis is originated. 

It is a depressant drug and is also known as blow, grass, weed, ganja, dope, marijuana and many other names.

Mephedrone is probably the most well known of the cathinone derived sythetic stimulants often called "legal highs" even though many of the substances are controlled, and most fall into Class B.

As well as mephedrone, there are substances like arlone (methylone), methadrone (not to be confused with opiate substitute methadone),  MDPV, methedrone, naphyrone (NRG-1), MDAI, MMAI, Lignocaine, BZP and many more.

These products are made in factories and often labelled "research chemicals" and 2not for human consumption"- this was a loop hole that ensured they did not come under the Misuse oif Drugs Act or other related legisaltion.

Just because a substance is labelled "Plant Food" or "Bath Salts" does not mean that it will be any use for that purpose- it is simply a way of getting around the controls put in place.

Mephedrone, was linked to a number of fatalities and caused quite a media storm, and while some of the effects seemed to be exaggerated, there is still concern around the safety of the substance, in particular in relation to its comedowns, its "more-ish" nature and possible vasoconstriction which can result in limbs and joints turning blue. While it is easy to dismiss media scare stories as just that, many experienced recreational users of other substances refuse to use it.

Mephedrone was made a Class B in April 2010 along with MDPV and other analoges. Naphyrone and its related substances became Class B in July 2010. It should be noted however that as more new labels are applied to substances, users may think they are in possession of a legal substance which could turn out to be illegal- while naphyrone was still legal, a number of products that were labelled NRG-1 or containing it turned out to be mephedrone and MDPV, which could have landed a user in serious trouble. Users are basically depenedent on the honesty and knowledge of the seller and this could have potential consequences.

Synthetic stimulants tend to start working, depending on how they are taken, in between 10 and 40 mins. Effects can last up to an hour, although if a user is redosing, this can be difficult to measure and may last longer. They have a similar effect to cocaine, speed ands ecstasy and can create a loved up feeling, although some of the substances are more trippy than others.

As well as blue fingers, users have reported headaches, palpitations and irregular heart beat. Others have also referred to feeling hot and cold in different parts of their bodies. Their sweat and urine may have a strong chemical smell. The crash can be very miserable and drawn out, and many users have reported that as the reason they would not use again. The stimulants can impact on the users ability to sleep which means an even more miserable comedown since there is no chance to sleep through it. 

Nothing is known about the long term effects of these substances, and there are many differnet types being produced world wide- synthetic substances could possibly reshape how drugs trends develop in a way not seen since ecstasy.
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