Tynwald voted in favour of extending the ban on the so called ‘legal high’ MDAI for a further one year period at its sitting in December.
MDAI will remain a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 with effect from 1 January 2014, which means that the ban will continue uninterrupted.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, who tabled the Order said:
'This is the third time an Order to ban MDAI, has been approved by Tynwald by classifying it as a Class C drug. It was first banned in January 2012. The move to make MDAI a controlled substance followed advice from the Island’s Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs in response to the tragic loss of life of a local teenager. MDAI is not banned in the UK. Legal highs continue to pose a problem due to their impact on personal health and wellbeing and I am glad that my colleagues in Tynwald have voted to extend this ban, which I believe remains in the best interests of our community.'
The new Order will again be effective for 12 months, after which time a further Order can be made, subject to Tynwald approval.
