Many of the designer drugs are not (yet) illegal in the Netherlands.
Research chemicals and legislation
Most classic drugs are listed in the Opium Act. Therefore, it is illegal to make, have, buy or sell these drugs. Many designer drugs are not included in the Opium Act. The substances then fall under the Commodities Act. Often, therefore, only rules apply as with normal products for designer drugs, such as rules for shampoo and plant food, for example. Products that fall under the Commodities Act must, among other things, contain a clear label that also states the health risks. The labels of designer drugs therefore read "not for human consumption". In this way, the seller adheres to the Commodities Act. The government is working on a law that makes a number of designer drugs illegal at once. This law is planned for 2022.
Designer drug ban
The cabinet is currently working on a broader ban on designer drugs, also known as NPS (new psychoactive substances). When an individual designer drug is banned under the Opium Act, it is still possible for drug manufacturers to make a new drug with a slightly different composition, so that that new drug can legally be put on the market again. This will be stopped with the designer drug ban, which brings entire groups of substances with the same basic chemical structure under the Opium Act. As a result, an entire group of common designer drugs is banned in advance, regardless of the specific composition.
