UK Blanket Ban Delayed - but by how long? [2 comments]
Thursday, 17 March 2016 11:11:42 Europe/London
For the last week there have been rumours on Twitter that the UK's Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 will not commence on the 6th April, and whilst there is still no public announcement on the Home Office website, I feel that I have enough information to make the call - there is going to be a delay but we don't know how long for.
The BBC's Home Editor, Mark Easton, has said on twitter that he had to "wheedle" the information out of the Home Office and there is a delay of at least a month, and 3 weeks notice will be given to Parliament of it commencing.
Additionally, a source in local government sent us this copy/paste extract from a communication they received from the Home Office:
"We expect to commence the Psychoactive Substances Act in the spring, subject to work with partners including the devolved administrations. We need to ensure the readiness of all the activity necessary to enable the smooth implementation of the legislation and to support law enforcement in their ability to drive forward the legislation on commencement.
While 6 April was the first date on which the legislation could be commenced, it has always been subject to consideration of all the activity necessary across the UK for the provisions to come into force.
We are looking to give 21 days’ notice of the commencement date which is when Parliament will also be informed."
I have also been told by other well placed contacts that a delay of at least a month is on the cards. And I've heard from one other source that it could be delayed until maybe even October, but I would not put too much hope on that at this stage.