Victorian Current Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Download] [Help]

DRUGS, POISONS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT 1981


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   1.      Short title and commencement  

   PART I--INTRODUCTORY AND TRANSITIONAL

   2.      Repeals and revocations  
   3.      Savings  
   4.      Definitions  
   4A.     Act does not apply to certain processed products  
   5.      Meaning of possession  
   6.      Meaning of corresponding law  
   7.      Act not to derogate from provisions of certain other Acts  
   8.      References in other Acts  
   9.      Revocation of proclamation etc.  
   11.     Act to bind the Crown  

   PART II--POISONS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

           Division 1--Classification

   12.     Poisons Code  
   12A.    The Poisons List  
   12B.    Requirements for labelling and other matters  
   12C.    What if the Poisons Code conflicts with the Act or regulations?  
   12D.    Incorporation of the Poisons Standard  
   12E.    Amendment of Code  
   12F.    Status of the Poisons Code  
   12G.    Procedure for preparation of the Poisons Code  
   12H.    Tabling before Parliament  
   12I.    Availability of Code  
   12J.    What if documents are not notified or made available?  
   12K.    Commencement of Poisons Code and incorporated materials  
   12L.    Evidence  

           Division 2--Authorized persons

   13.     Persons authorized to have possession etc. of poisons or controlled substances  
   13A.    Chinese medicine practitioners and herbal dispensers must establish therapeutic need  
   14.     Restrictions on authorisations for certain health practitioners  
   14A.    Minister to approve scope of prescribing rights or supply of poisons  

           Division 3--Poisons Advisory Committee

   15.     Establishment and membership of Poisons Advisory Committee  
   15A.    Terms and conditions of appointment  
   15B.    Resignation and removal  
   15C.    Vacancies  
   15D.    Quorum and proceedings  
   15E.    Co-opted members  
   16.     Sub-committees  
   17.     Functions of the Committee  
   18.     Officers of committee  

           Division 4--Licences, permits and warrants

   18A.    Definitions  
   19.     Issue of licences, permits and warrants  
   20.     What a licence, permit or warrant can authorise  
   20A.    Class approvals  
   20B.    Revocation or variation of class approvals  
   21.     Duration of a licence, permit or warrant  
   22.     Renewal of licences and permits  
   22A.    Amendment  
   22B.    Inspection  
   22C.    Suspension or cancellation  

           Division 5--Public health emergencies

   22D.    When a public health emergency order may be made  
   22E.    Matters to be specified in a public health emergency order  
   22F.    What a public health emergency order authorises  
   22G.    Extending, amending and revoking orders  
   22H.    Orders under this Division to be published in Government Gazette  

           Division 6--Animal health and welfare emergencies

   22I.    Definitions  
   22J.    When an animal health and welfare emergency order may be made  
   22K.    Matters to be specified in an animal health and welfare emergency order  
   22L.    What an animal health and welfare emergency order authorises  
   22M.    Extending, amending and revoking orders  
   22N.    Delegation  
   22O.    Orders under this Division to be published in Government Gazette  

           Division 8--Manufacture and sale of poisons or controlled substances

   23.     Manufacture, sale and supply of poisons or controlled substances by wholesale  
   24.     Wholesaling of certain poisons  
   26.     Retailing of poisons or controlled substances  
   27.     Sale of poisons or controlled substances by persons other than manufacturers etc.  
   27A.    Offences concerning labelling and other matters  
   28.     House to house sale of poisons or controlled substances prohibited  
   29.     Sale of substances in unauthorised containers  
   30.     Vending machines for poisons or controlled substances  

           Division 9--Monitored poisons database

   30A.    Secretary may establish monitored poisons database  
   30B.    Powers of Secretary in relation to monitored poisons database  
   30C.    Access, use and disclosure of information on monitored poisons database  
   30D.    Data source entity to provide records and information to monitored poisons database  
   30E.    Pharmacist to check monitored poisons database before supply of monitored supply poison  
   30F.    Registered medical practitioner to check monitored poisons database before prescription or supply of monitored supply poison  
   30G.    Nurse practitioner to check monitored poisons database before prescription or supply of monitored supply poison  
   30H.    Authorised supplier to check monitored poisons database before prescription or supply of monitored supply poison  
   30I.    Offences relating to access or use of monitored poisons database unless authorised  
   30J.    Protection from liability for duties and functions in relation to monitored poisons database  

           Division 10--Drugs of dependence, Schedule 8 poisons, Schedule 9 poisons and Schedule 4 poisons

   31.     Definitions  
   32.     Record keeping in relation to sale or supply of drugs of addiction  
   32A.    Required notification to Secretary—drugs of dependence and Schedule 4, Schedule 8 and Schedule 9 poisons  
   33A.    Application for permit to administer, supply or prescribe Schedule 9 poisons  
   33B.    Schedule 9 permit  
   33C.    Offence not to comply with Schedule 9 permit  
   33D.    Offence to administer Schedule 9 poisons without permit  
   34.     Requirement to apply for Schedule 8 permit  
   34A.    Schedule 8 permit  
   34B.    Offence to administer etc. Schedule 8 poisons to drug-dependent person  
   34C.    Offence to administer etc. Schedule 8 poisons to person who is not a drug-dependent person  
   34D.    Exception to Schedule 8 permit requirement—specified circumstances  
   34E.    Exceptions to Schedule 8 permit requirement—multiple practitioners at medical clinic  
   34F.    Exception to Schedule 8 permit requirement—patients in prisons, police gaols, aged care services and hospitals  
   35.     Offence not to comply with Schedule 8 permit  
   35A.    Secretary may specify circumstances for purposes of section 34D  
   35B.    Composite forms  
   36A.    Forgery  
   36B.    Unauthorized possession etc. of poison or controlled substance etc.  

           Division 10A--Administration of medication in aged care services

   36C.    Effect of this Division  
   36D.    Definitions  
   36E.    Administration of drugs of dependence, Schedule 9 poisons, Schedule 8 poisons and Schedule 4 poisons in aged care services  
   36F.    Registered nurse to have regard to code or guideline  

           Division 11--Appeals

   37.     Appeals  

           Division 12--Sale of poisons book

   38.     Record of sale of poisons  
   38A.    Authorised possession of certain poisons  
   40.     Sale or supply of poisons or controlled substances to persons under age  

           Division 13--Authorized officers

   41.     Secretary may authorize person to carry out functions of authorized officer  
   42.     Inspections  
   42A.    Powers of authorized officers to access, use and disclose information on monitored poisons database  
   43.     Duties of officers in relation to seized substances  
   44.     Persons who are liable for contravention of Act  

           Division 13A--Authorised police employees and other authorised persons

   44A.    Chief Commissioner may authorise person to carry out functions of authorised police employee  
   44B.    Powers, duties and functions of authorised police employee  
   44C.    Other authorised persons  

           Division 14--Offences

   45.     Time within which charge-sheet to be filed  
   46.     Offences  
   47.     Maximum sentence etc.  
   48.     Offence to receive certain moneys etc.  
   49.     Obtaining licence by fraud  
   50.     Immunity of authorized officers and authorised police employees  

           Division 15--Poison baits

   52.     Setting of poison baits  
   53.     Regulations  

           Division 16--Poisons in roads and waterways

   54.     Special regulations  

           Division 17--Prohibition of poisons or controlled substances

   55.     Prohibiting sale or supply of poisons or controlled substances  

   PART IIA--MEDICALLY SUPERVISED INJECTING CENTRE

           Division 1--Preliminary

   55A.    Object  
   55B.    Meaning of director and supervisor of licensed medically supervised injecting centre  

           Division 2--Medically supervised injecting centre licence

   55C.    Medically supervised injecting centre may be licensed  
   55D.    Limit on number of medically supervised injecting centre licences  
   55E.    Internal management protocols  
   55EA.   Agreements and deeds as to transitional obligations  
   55EB.   Penalty for breach of transitional obligation or termination of agreement or deed  
   55F.    Commencement, expiry and extension of medically supervised injecting centre licence  
   55G.    Notices regarding licence  
   55H.    Conditions of medically supervised injecting centre licence  
   55I.    Disciplinary action  
   55J.    Secretary's power to revoke licence  
   55JA.   Transfer of licence  

           Division 3--Miscellaneous

   55K.    Exemptions from criminal liability and authorizations for clients of centre  
   55L.    Exemptions from criminal liability and authorizations for licensee and staff  
   55M.    Police discretions not affected  
   55N.    Exemption from civil liability  
   55O.    Planning permit not required  
   55P.    Review of this Part and licensing of medically supervised injecting centre for trial period  
   55PA.   Second review of this Part and licensing of medically supervised injecting centre  
   55Q.    Regulations for this Part  

   PART III--MANUFACTURE OF HEROIN

   56.     Manufacture of heroin etc.  

   PART IIIA--PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

   56A.    Definitions  
   56B.    Burden of proof  
   56C.    Representation that not for human consumption not a defence  
   56D.    Offence to produce psychoactive substance  
   56E.    Offence to sell or supply psychoactive substance  
   56F.    Offence to advertise psychoactive substance  

   PART IV--DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES AND SEARCH, SEIZURE AND DETENTION POWERS RELATING TO VOLATILE SUBSTANCES

           Division 1--Deleterious substances

   57.     Definitions  
   58.     Sale of deleterious substances  
   59.     Matters to which this Part does not apply  
   60.     Evidence  

           Division 2--Volatile substances

   60A.    Purpose of Division  
   60B.    Police or protective services officer to take into account the best interests of person under 18 years of age  
   60BA.   Protective services officer may exercise police powers under this Division  
   60C.    Where can police powers under this Division be exercised?  
   60D.    Police may use reasonable force  
   60E.    Police may search person under 18 years of age without warrant  
   60F.    Search of person irrespective of age without warrant  
   60G.    Before search, police to identify self  
   60H.    Before search, police to give information and request production of substance or item  
   60I.    Request for explanation before seizure of volatile substances and items used to inhale volatile substances  
   60J.    Seizure of volatile substances and items used to inhale when explanation given  
   60K.    Seizure of volatile substances and items used to inhale when no explanation given  
   60L.    Apprehension and detention  
   60M.    How long may a person be detained and where?  
   60N.    Return of seized or produced volatile substances and items used to inhale volatile substances  
   60O.    Disposal or making safe of volatile substances and items used to inhale volatile substances  
   60P.    Forfeiture to Crown  
   60Q.    Records concerning searches, seizure, receipt or disposal of property, apprehensions and detentions  
   60R.    Person may request record  
   60S.    Chief Commissioner to report on actions under this Division  
   60T.    Regulations  

   PART IVA--AUTHORITIES FOR LOW‑THC CANNABIS

           Division 1--Authorities for low-THC cannabis

   61.     Definitions  
   62.     Application for authority to cultivate and process low-THC cannabis  
   63.     Secretary must investigate application  
   63A.    When Secretary must refuse to issue authority  
   64.     Matters to be considered in determining applications  
   65.     Determination of applications  
   66.     Terms and conditions of authorities  
   66A.    Application of prescribed terms and conditions  
   67.     Renewal of authorities  
   68.     Authority not transferable  
   69.     Amendment of authorities  
   69A.    Suspension or cancellation  
   69AB.   Delegation  
   69AC.   Procedure for decisions based on protected information  
   69B.    Review by VCAT  
   69BA.   VCAT to inquire on grounds for refusal  
   69BB.   Appointment of special counsel  
   69BC.   Procedure for hearing—protected information  
   69BD.   Decision of VCAT where protected information exists  
   69BE.   Chief Commissioner of Police may request Secretary reconsider decision without protected information  
   69BF.   General provisions for hearing matters involving protected information  
   69C.    Offence to contravene authority  
   69D.    Catchment and Land Protection Act does not apply  

           Division 2--Inspection and enforcement

   69E.    Inspectors under this Part  
   69F.    General powers of inspectors  
   69G.    Inspector may order harvest or treatment  
   69H.    Inspector has power to detain or seize  
   69I.    What happens if an inspector detains or seizes plants, crops or products?  
   69J.    Appeal to Secretary if disposal or destruction ordered  
   69K.    Offences relating to inspector's exercise of power  
   69L.    Inspector may possess cannabis for purposes of this Part  
   69LA.   Infringement notices  
   69LB.   Infringement penalty  

           Division 3--Regulations under this Part

   69M.    Regulations  

   PART IVB--LICENCES TO CULTIVATE ALKALOID POPPIES AND PROCESS POPPY STRAW

           Division 1--Preliminary

   69N.    Definitions  
   69NA.   Meaning of associate  
   69NB.   Matters to be considered in determining a fit and proper person  

           Division 2--Poppy cultivation licence

   69O.    Application for poppy cultivation licence  
   69OA.   Secretary must investigate application  
   69OB.   Determining an application  
   69OC.   Terms and conditions of a poppy cultivation licence  
   69OD.   Poppy cultivation licence is not transferable  
   69OE.   Employee of licensed grower authorised to undertake activities under licence  
   69OF.   Employee identification certificate issued by licensed grower  
   69OG.   Application for renewal of licence  
   69OH.   Secretary must investigate renewal application  
   69OI.   Determining a renewal application  

           Division 3--Poppy processing licence

   69P.    Application for poppy processing licence  
   69PA.   Secretary must investigate application  
   69PB.   Determining an application  
   69PC.   Terms and conditions of a poppy processing licence  
   69PD.   Poppy processing licence is not transferable  
   69PE.   Employee of licensed processor authorised to undertake activities under licence  
   69PF.   Employee identification certificate issued by licensed processor  
   69PG.   Application for renewal of licence  
   69PH.   Secretary must investigate renewal application  
   69PI.   Determining a renewal application  

           Division 4--General provisions applying to a poppy cultivation licence or poppy processing licence

   69Q.    Amendment of licences  
   69QA.   Suspension or cancellation of licences  

           Division 5--Inspection and enforcement

   69R.    Inspectors under this Part  
   69RA.   Inspectors identification certificate  
   69RB.   General powers of inspector  
   69RC.   Procedure on seizing a document, thing or taking a sample  
   69RD.   Power to use electronic equipment at premises  
   69RE.   Power to copy information on electronic storage devices  
   69RF.   Inspector must not damage equipment  
   69RG.   Inspector may possess alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RH.   Inspector has power to detain or seize alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RI.   Procedure on detaining or seizing alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RJ.   Secretary has power to dispose or deal with seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RK.   Retention and return of seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RL.   Magistrates' Court may extend 3 month period  
   69RM.   Forfeiture, harvest and destruction of alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  
   69RN.   Recovery of costs  
   69RO.   Inspector may access ratepayer information  
   69RP.   Protection against self-incrimination  
   69RQ.   Power to issue infringement notices  
   69RR.   Infringement penalty  

           Division 6--Offences

   69S.    Offence to fail to report the amendment or cancellation of a contract  
   69SA.   Offence to fail to report amendment or cancellation  
   69SB.   Offence to fail to report on any change of details of the licensed grower or the licensed processor  
   69SC.   Offence to fail to surrender licence on suspension or cancellation  
   69SD.   Offence to contravene a licence  
   69SE.   Offence to fail to prohibit access to premises  
   69SF.   Offence to fail to carry and produce identification certificate  
   69SG.   Offence to employ disqualified persons under licence  
   69SH.   Offence for disqualified person to be employed by licensed grower or licensed processor  
   69SI.   Employee must comply with terms and conditions of licence  
   69SJ.   Criminal liability of licensed grower or licensed processor—failure to exercise due diligence  
   69SK.   Offence to fail to provide an identification certificate for employees  
   69SL.   Offence to hinder or obstruct inspector  
   69SM.   Offence to remove detained or seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw  

           Division 7--Alkaloid poppy register

   69T.    Alkaloid poppy register  
   69TA.   Request to register a contract  
   69TB.   Access to the alkaloid poppy register restricted  
   69TC.   Person with access to alkaloid poppy register not to disclose personal information from it  
   69TD.   Delegation  

           Division 8--Review by VCAT

   69U.    Refusal of licence or renewal of licence on grounds of protected information  
   69UA.   Review by VCAT  
   69UB.   VCAT to inquire on grounds for refusal  
   69UC.   Appointment of special counsel  
   69UD.   Procedure for hearing—protected information  
   69UE.   Decision of VCAT where protected information exists  
   69UF.   General provisions for hearing matters involving protected information  

           Division 9--Regulations

   69V.    Regulations  

   PART V--DRUGS OF DEPENDENCE AND RELATED MATTERS

   70.     Definitions  
   71.     Trafficking in a drug or drugs of dependence—large commercial quantity  
   71AA.   Trafficking in a drug or drugs of dependence—commercial quantity  
   71AB.   Trafficking in a drug of dependence to a child  
   71AC.   Trafficking in a drug of dependence  
   71AD.   Use of violence or threats to cause trafficking in drug of dependence  
   71A.    Possession of substance, material, documents or equipment for trafficking in a drug of dependence  
   71B.    Supply of drug of dependence to a child  
   71C.    Possession of tablet press  
   71D.    Possession of precursor chemicals  
   71E.    Possession of document containing information about trafficking or cultivating a drug of dependence  
   71F.    Publication of document containing instructions  
   72.     Cultivation of narcotic plants—large commercial quantity  
   72A.    Cultivation of narcotic plants—commercial quantity  
   72B.    Cultivation of narcotic plants  
   72C.    Defence to prosecution for offences involving cultivation  
   72D.    Permitting use of premises for trafficking or cultivation of drug of dependence  
   73.     Possession of a drug of dependence  
   74.     Introduction of a drug of dependence into the body of another person  
   75.     Use of drug of dependence  
   76.     Adjourned bonds to be given in certain cases  
   77.     Forging prescriptions and orders for drugs of dependence  
   78.     Obtaining drugs of dependence etc. by false representation  
   79.     Conspiring  
   80.     Inciting etc.  

   PART VA--COCAINE KITS

           Division 1--Cocaine kits

   80A.    What is a cocaine kit?  
   80B.    Offence to display a cocaine kit in a retail outlet  
   80C.    Offence to sell a cocaine kit  

           Division 2--Enforcement

   80D.    Seizure of cocaine kits  
   80E.    Retention and return of seized cocaine kits  
   80F.    Magistrates' Court may extend 3 month period  
   80G.    Forfeiture and destruction of seized cocaine kits  
   80H.    Court may order forfeiture to the Crown  

   PART VAB--ICE PIPES

   80HA.   Definition  
   80HB.   Offence to display an ice pipe in a retail outlet  
   80HC.   Offence to sell or supply an ice pipe  
   80HD.   Seizure of ice pipes  
   80HE.   Retention and return of seized ice pipes  
   80HF.   Magistrates' Court may extend 3 month period  
   80HG.   Forfeiture and destruction of seized ice pipe  
   80HH.   Court may order forfeiture to the Crown  

   PART VB--PRECURSOR CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   80I.    Application of Part  

           Division 2--Category 1 precursor chemicals

   80J.    Supply of category 1 precursor chemicals  
   80K.    Storage of category 1 precursor chemicals  

           Division 3--Category 2 precursor chemicals and category 3 precursor apparatus

   80L.    Supply of category 2 precursor chemicals  
   80M.    Supply of category 3 precursor apparatus  

           Division 4--Transaction records

   80N.    End user declarations to be kept  
   80O.    Record of supply—category 1 precursor chemical  
   80P.    Record of supply—category 2 precursor chemical  
   80Q.    Record of supply of category 3 precursor apparatus  
   80R.    Police may inspect records  
   80S.    Offence not to produce records  

   PART VC--CANNABIS WATER PIPES AND HOOKAHS

           Division 1--Display, sale and supply

   80T.    Definitions  
   80TA.   Part not to apply in relation to pharmacist dealing with medicinal cannabis vaporiser  
   80U.    Offence to display cannabis water pipe, bong component or bong kit in retail outlet  
   80V.    Offence to sell cannabis water pipe, bong component or bong kit  
   80W.    Offence to supply cannabis water pipe, bong component or bong kit in course of carrying out commercial activity  
   80X.    Display for sale of hookahs in retail outlet  

           Division 2--Enforcement

   80Y.    Power to issue infringement notices  
   80Z.    Infringement penalty  
   80ZA.   Seizure of cannabis water pipes, bong components or bong kits  
   80ZB.   Retention and return of seized items  
   80ZC.   Magistrates' Court may extend 3 month period  
   80ZD.   Forfeiture and destruction of seized items  
   80ZE.   Court may order forfeiture to the Crown  

   PART VI--SEARCH SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

   80ZF.   Definitions  
   81.     Warrant to search premises  
   81A.    Notice that seized thing or document is being held for purposes of Confiscation Act 1997  
   81B.    Application for tainted property to be held or retained—return of warrant to court  
   81C.    Court may make direction  
   81D.    Notice of direction under section 81C  
   81E.    Effect of directions under sections 81(1A) and 81C  
   82.     Search without warrant  
   82A.    Protective services officer may exercise police powers under section 82 to search without warrant  
   83.     Forfeiture of drug of dependence or substance before conviction  
   90.     Appeals  
   91.     Destruction of drugs of dependence and psychoactive substances—health and safety  
   92.     Delegated police officers  
   93.     Certificate and report to be provided to Chief Commissioner of Police  
   94.     Request for copies  
   95.     IBAC Commissioner to inspect and report  
   96.     Annual reports  

   PART VIA--DECLARED TESTING FACILITIES

   97.     Declared testing facilities  
   98.     Supply of things to declared testing facility  

   PART VII--PROCEEDINGS

   102.    Identity of seller of substances  
   103.    Offences by corporations  
   104.    Burden of proof  

   PART IX--EVIDENTIARY

   118.    List of licences and permits  
   119.    Evidentiary  
   120.    Analyst's etc. certificates  
   121.    Evidentiary effect of certain statements  
   122.    Proof that a substance is poison etc.  
   122A.   Evidence of market value of drugs of dependence  
   123.    General offence  

   PART XI--REGULATIONS

   129.    Regulations  
   130.     Construction of section 129  
   131.    Regulations as to regulated poisons  
   132.    General regulations  
   132AA.   Regulations prescribing drugs of dependence  
   132A.   Regulations may incorporate other documents  
   132B.   Scope of regulations  
   133.     Strict compliance with prescribed forms not necessary  
   133A.   Exemption from regulatory impact statement procedure  

   PART XII--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

   134.    References  
   135.    Instruments to continue  
   135A.   Transitional provisions—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Amendment) Act 1994  
   136.    Continuity of Poisons Advisory Committee  
   137.    Transitional provisions—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Amendment) Act 2001  
   138.    Refund of licence fee in relation to Schedule 5 poisons and Schedule 6 poisons  
   139.    Transitional provisions relating to licences—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances and Therapeutic Goods (Victoria) Acts (Amendment) Act 2004  
   140.    Transitional provisions—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Amendment) Act 2006  
   141.    Drug Rehabilitation and Research Fund  
   142.    Transitional provisions—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Act 2008  
   143.    Transitional provision—Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 2012  
   144.    Transitional provisions—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Act 2016  
   145.    Transitional—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Miscellaneous Amendment Act 2017  
   147.    Transitional—Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Act 2019  
   148.    Transitional provision—Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2019  
   149.    Transitional provision—Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Act 2023  
           SCHEDULE 20
           ENDNOTES


AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback