Home secretary bans mephedrone after taking advice from depleted council

The UK home secretary, Alan Johnson, announced plans to ban mephedrone and its related compounds after the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended they be classified as class B drugs.

Mr Johnson said that legislation would be introduced to parliament on 30 March and that he hoped that cross party support would lead to a ban within the next few weeks.

A class B classification will put mephedrone and other cathinone derivatives alongside cannabis and amphetamines, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years for dealing and five years for possession.

Mr Johnson said: “As a result of the council’s swift advice I am introducing legislation to ban not just mephedrone and other cathinones but also to enshrine in …