Longer jail terms for class C drugs offences have been approved by Tynwald.
Offences such as importing or supplying a class C drug, or possessing with intent to supply, previously carried a maximum prison term of five years.
Following Tynwald approval last week for the amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1976, this will increase to a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
It comes into effect on December 1.
The change was brought forward by the Health Minister David Anderson following consultation with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
In addition, Tynwald approved the island following the UK on temporary bans of ‘legal highs’.
When a temporary class drug order is made in the UK, temporarily banning a legal high for up to 12 months, it will automatically apply in the Isle of Man too.
Liberal Vannin leader Peter Karran MHK (Onchan) said that legal highs needed to be examined in the island, and should be ‘outlawed’.
