Since November 26, 2016, the “New Psychoactive Substance Law” (NpSG) has been in force in Germany. For the first time, not individual substances but whole substance groups such as the synthetic cannabinoids or 2-phenethylamines, for example, Cathinone (synthetic amphetamines) are detected. Before this law, newly developed NPS were often recorded as a single substance only after a delay by the Narcotics Act (BtmG) and, according to a ruling of the European Court of Justice, since 2014 no longer considered to be a medical product. So there was a loophole for NPS. For these substances, the term “legal highs” has emerged. The NpSG provides for a ban on the acquisition, possession and trading of new psychoactive substances (NPS) as well as the transfer of NPS. In addition, this new law allows law enforcement authorities to carry out arrangements to monitor telecommunications and asset recovery, if appropriate, and to justify the order for pre-trial detention for the risk of repetition.
The New Psychoactive Substances Act on the Internet:
New Psychoactive Substances Act NpSG