Written question asked by Brian Iddon (Labour) on Thursday, 15 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 July 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Psilocin/Psilocybin

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he last asked the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs to review the classification of (a) psilocin and (b) psilocybin;

Answer: The classification of psilocin and psilocybin has not been reviewed by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The classification of psilocin and psilocybin as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, since that Act came into force on 1 July 1973, reflects the United Kingdom’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971. Psilocin and psilocybin (and many similar drugs) were included in Schedule one to the 1971 Convention, reflecting international consensus that these substances should be subject to the highest level of control. HM Government placed these substances in Part I of Schedule two to the 1971 Act as Class A drugs. The information on deaths from psilocin and psilocybin is not held.

Secondary information