Written Question·Northern Ireland Office·UIN 119224

Drugs: Misuse

Tabled: 10 March 2026
Answered: 16 March 2026
Named Day

Question

Mr Gregory Campbell

Democratic Unionist PartyEast Londonderry

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Justice Minister on possible changes to classifications and statutory sentencing in drugs misuse policy.

Answer

Hilary Benn
I have not had any such discussions.Drug classification and the supporting legal framework remains a reserved power, primarily managed through the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This is the responsibility of the Home Office.