If you were particularly in the UK territories, you probably have heard, read and saw news about the proposed ban of all legal highs. The problem is that the proposal has many flaws. One of such issue is that the proposed law is too broad, failing to define what a new psychoactive drug actually is.

Without even saying, there is so much confusion going around about the ban; in fact, sectors, including the church, have raised concerns about the unintended, unavoidable consequences of a new law that might put everyone into trouble.

In fact, there is possibility that even the incense used in churches might be prohibited, although the new law’s defined target will be on products that cause psycho activity in humans.

In addition to opposing sides of the story are some government officials who noted that the new legislation have tendencies to cause legal challenges.

To give you a short background, this new legislation will introduce a blanket ban on all activities, including the supply, selling, distribution and production of such novel psychoactive substances.

So then, what are the possible effects of this blanket ban on legal highs?

 The process of turning the proposal into a new law seems to be being rushed by the officials, so there is high possibility that it would come with many flaws because evaluation on the dangers and potential abuse are yet to be determined.

Another danger is that there is lack of clarity about the relative harm associated with the use of psychoactive substances, including laughing gas. And there are insufficient guidelines in the new law.

What’s in the draft bill, anyway? It states that NPS produces psychoactive effects if the person’s nervous system experiences depressing or stimulating effects, affecting one’s emotional and mental state.

However, there are many reports that admitted that the new law might be too broad with the agenda to keeping up with the pace of which new psychoactive substances could be made.

But because there is broadness in the definition, there is also high chance of unintended consequences.

Another concern was raised by pharmaceutical companies, noting that legitimate drugs may suffer from the consequences of the banning. The retailers have also brought out concerns about what products they can stock on and the church and religious institutions raised an issue that the ban might criminalize the use of incense in church and religious functions.

Another issue is the closure of legal headshops in the community and online might lead the market of herbal incense and legal highs underground, posing dangers for buyers who might be victimized by fraud sellers or suffer from health consequences for buying illegitimate and rip off incense underground. The banning of legal highs has also been followed by black marketing of substances, which could be five times harmful than those sold in legitimate headshops and online sellers. (Legal Highs Guru)

So instead of seeming like paranoids, the authorities might want to use their proper judgment and make a thorough evaluation before such law could be put into action. There should be definite, comprehensive guidelines and parameters to avoid unnecessary consequences, such as violating not only human rights but also endangering the lives of the many.