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A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (May 9) that the Government will publish the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First and Third Schedules) Order 2012 (the Amendment Order) in the Gazette on May 18 (Friday).
The Amendment Order will amend the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to include gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient, salvinorin-A, which are liable to abuse, thereby controlling their use.
The spokesperson said, "These substances, which are harmful and have gained prevalence amongst drug abusers overseas, may pose a threat to Hong Kong as substances of abuse.
"The Amendment Order will subject these substances to the same strict control as other dangerous drugs on their trafficking, manufacture, possession, supply, import and export. Those prosecuted for illicit trafficking and manufacture of these substances will be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. The import and export of these substances, as dangerous drugs, will require a licence from the Director of Health."
"As GBL may be used as a food flavouring agent, the Amendment Order will provide an exemption for its use at a level reasonably safe for human consumption in food," the spokesperson added.
"The Government had consulted the pharmaceutical and chemical trades, as well as the food industry on the amendment. There was not any objection," the spokesperson said. "We had also consulted the Action Committee Against Narcotics and the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council, which supported the proposal."
The Amendment Order will be introduced into the Legislative Council on May 23 and is expected to take effect on July 14.
Ends/Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:21
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