United Kingdom - May 2016. The Psychoactive Substances Act came into force on 26 May 2016. The Act prohibits the production, supply, importation or exportation of psychoactive substances for human consumption with a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment. Food, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine and medical products are excluded from the scope of the Act, while controlled drugs continue to be regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Healthcare activities and approved scientific research are exempted from the offences under the Act on the basis that persons engaged in such activities have a legitimate need to use psychoactive substances in their work. The Act also includes provision for a range of criminal and civil sanctions.

For more information please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/psychoactive-substances-bill-2015