Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill

A Bill to change the procedure for amending Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Alex McIntyreLabour (Co-op)

Parliament last updated

26 February 2026

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This bill aims to change how Schedule 2 drugs are amended under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, introducing a new procedure for specifying which substances are controlled. It focuses on the process by which drugs are added to or removed from Schedule 2. At Report Stage in the Commons, there is one Conservative amendment that would remove a specific provision in Clause 1, signalling a debate over the details of the new procedure.

Key Points

Changes the procedure for amending Schedule 2 substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Introduces a new process for how drugs are specified as controlled (the exact steps depend on Clause 1).
Only amendment at Report Stage is Sir Christopher Chope’s attempt to omit subsection (6) of Clause 1, indicating a challenge to a particular element of the new procedure.
Shows cross-party scrutiny: Labour MP Alex McIntyre sponsors the bill, while a Conservative MP seeks to narrow or alter part of it.

Progress

The bill is currently at Report Stage in the Commons, having gone through first and second readings and committee stage in prior sessions. The next steps would involve debate on the amendment and, if approved, passage to the Lords.

Who is affected?

People who may be prescribed or use controlled drugsMedical professionals and pharmacistsPharmaceuticals industry and suppliersRegulators and law enforcementPublic health and general public

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

16 Oct 2024

2nd readingCommons

27 Feb 2026

Committee stageCommons

25 Jun 2025

Report stageCommons

11 Jul 2025, 17 Apr 2026

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Amendments (1)

1 no decision

Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill

9 Sept 2025

The Bill was considered in a Public Bill Committee on Wednesday 25 June and reported without amendment. It was considered at Report stage on Friday 11 July but an objection was taken (Standing Order No. 11(2)) and consideration is to be resumed on Friday 17 April 2026, although the House of Commons is not expected to be sitting on that date.