South Australia: Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA)

South Australia Controlled Substances Act 1984 An Act to regulate or prohibit the manufacture, production, sale, supply, possession, handling or use of certain poisons, drugs, medicines and other substances, and of certain medical devices; to apply certain laws of the Commonwealth relating to therapeutic goods as laws of South Australia; and for other related purposes. Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 4 Interpretation 5 Application of Act Part 2—Controlled Substances Advisory Council 6 The Controlled Substances Advisory Council 7 Terms and conditions of office 8 Validity of acts of the Advisory Council 9 Allowances and expenses 10 Conduct of business 10A Conflict of interest under Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 11 Functions of the Advisory Council Part 2A—Application in South Australia of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws Division 1—Applied provisions 11A Application of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws 11B Interpretation of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws Division 2—Functions and powers under applied provisions 11C Functions and powers of Commonwealth Minister 11D Functions and powers of Commonwealth Secretary 11E Commonwealth may retain fees paid to Commonwealth Secretary 11F Functions and powers of other persons 11G Delegation by Commonwealth Minister or Commonwealth Secretary 11H Appointments under Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws Division 3—Offences against applied provisions 11I Application of Commonwealth criminal laws to offences against applied provisions 11J Functions and powers conferred on certain Commonwealth officers and authorities relating to offences 11K No double jeopardy for offences against applied provisions Division 4—Reviews and appeals 11L Tribunal may sit with assessors Part 3—Controlled substances 12 Declaration of poisons, prescription drugs, drugs of dependence, controlled drugs etc 12A Interim controlled drugs Part 4—General offences 13 Manufacture and packing 14 Sale by wholesale 15 Sale or supply to end user 16 Sale of certain poisons 17 Sale of poisons the possession of which requires a licence 17A Manufacture, sale, supply or possession of certain precursors 17B Storage and sale of certain precursors 17C Regulation of sale of certain precursors 18 Regulation of prescription drugs 18A Restriction of prescription or supply of drug of dependence in certain circumstances 19 Sale or supply of volatile solvents 20 Prohibition of automatic vending machines 21 Sale, supply, possession or administration of other potentially harmful substances or devices 22 Possession 23 Quality 24 Packaging and labelling 25 Storage 26 Transport 27 Use 28 Prohibition of advertisement 29 Regulation of advertisement 30 Forgery etc of prescriptions Part 4A—Licences to cultivate alkaloid poppies and process poppy straw Division 1—Preliminary 30A Interpretation 30B Meaning of associate 30C Matters to be considered—fit and proper person Division 2—Poppy cultivation licence 30D Application for poppy cultivation licence 30E Chief Executive must investigate application 30F Determining an application 30G Terms and conditions of a poppy cultivation licence 30H Poppy cultivation licence is not transferable 30I Employee of licensed grower authorised to undertake activities under licence 30J Employee identification certificate issued by licensed grower 30K Application for renewal of licence 30L Chief Executive must investigate renewal application 30M Determining a renewal application Division 3—Poppy processing licence 30N Application for poppy processing licence 30O Chief Executive must investigate application 30P Determining an application 30Q Terms and conditions of a poppy processing licence 30R Poppy processing licence is not transferable 30S Employee of licensed processor authorised to undertake activities under licence 30T Employee identification certificate issued by licensed processor 30U Application for renewal of licence 30V Chief Executive must investigate renewal application 30W Determining a renewal application Division 4—General provisions applying to a poppy cultivation licence or poppy processing licence 30X Amendment of licences 30Y Suspension or cancellation of licences Division 5—Inspection and enforcement 30Z Inspectors under this Part 30ZA Identification certificate 30ZB General powers of inspector 30ZC Procedure on seizing a document, thing or taking a sample 30ZD Power to use electronic equipment at premises 30ZE Power to copy information on electronic storage devices 30ZF Inspector must not damage equipment 30ZG Inspector may possess alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZH Inspector has power to detain or seize alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZI Procedure on detaining or seizing alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZJ Chief Executive has power to dispose or deal with seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZK Retention and return of seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZL Magistrates Court may extend 3 month period 30ZM Forfeiture, harvest and destruction of alkaloid poppies or poppy straw 30ZN Recovery of costs 30ZO Inspector may access ratepayer information 30ZP Protection against self-incrimination 30ZQ Power to issue expiation notices 30ZR Expiation fee Division 6—Offences 30ZS Offence to fail to report the amendment or cancellation of a contract 30ZT Offence to fail to report amendment or cancellation 30ZU Offence to fail to report on any change of details of the licensed grower or the licensed processor 30ZV Offence to fail to surrender licence on suspension or cancellation 30ZW Offence to contravene a licence 30ZX Offence to fail to prohibit access to premises 30ZY Offence to fail to carry and produce identification certificate 30ZZ Offence to employ disqualified persons under licence 30ZZA Offence for disqualified person to be employed by licensed grower or licensed processor 30ZZB Employee must comply with terms and conditions of licence 30ZZC Criminal liability of licensed grower or licensed processor—failure to exercise due diligence 30ZZD Offence to fail to provide an identification certificate for employees 30ZZE Offence to hinder or obstruct inspector 30ZZF Offence to remove detained or seized alkaloid poppies or poppy straw Division 7—Alkaloid poppy register 30ZZG Alkaloid poppy register 30ZZH Request to register a contract 30ZZI Access to the alkaloid poppy register restricted 30ZZJ Person with access to alkaloid poppy register not to disclose personal information from it 30ZZK Delegation Division 8—Review 30ZZL Review by Tribunal Division 9—Miscellaneous 30ZZM Criminal intelligence 30ZZN Regulations Part 5—Offences relating to controlled drugs, precursors and plants Division 1—Preliminary 31 Application of Part Division 2—Commercial offences Subdivision 1—Trafficking in controlled drugs 32 Trafficking Subdivision 2—Manufacture of controlled drugs 33 Manufacture of controlled drugs for sale 33A Sale, manufacture etc of controlled precursor Subdivision 3—Cultivation and sale of controlled plants 33B Cultivation of controlled plants for sale 33C Sale of controlled plants Subdivision 4—Sale of equipment etc 33D Sale of equipment 33DA Sale of instructions Division 3—Offences involving children and school zones 33E Application of Division 33F Sale, supply or administration of controlled drug to child 33G Sale, supply or administration of controlled drug in school zone 33GA Sale of equipment to child for use in connection with consumption of controlled drugs 33GB Sale of instructions to a child 33H Procuring child to commit offence Division 4—Other offences 33I Supply or administration of controlled drug 33J Manufacture of controlled drugs 33K Cultivation of controlled plants 33L Possession or consumption of controlled drug etc 33LA Possession or supply of prescribed equipment 33LAB Possession or supply of instructions 33LB Possession or supply of prescribed quantity of controlled precursor Division 4A—Offences relating to controlled drug alternatives 33LC Interpretation 33LD Intentional manufacture of controlled drug alternative 33LE Promoting controlled drug alternative 33LF Manufacturing, packaging, selling or supplying substance promoted as controlled drug alternative Division 5—General provisions relating to offences 33M Interpretation 33N Aggregation of offences 33O Offences involving more than one kind of substance 33OA Basis for determining quantity of controlled substance 33P Knowledge or recklessness with respect to identity or quantity 33Q Alternative conviction—mistake as to identity of controlled substance 33R Alternative verdicts 33S No accessorial liability for certain offences 33T Power of court to prohibit certain activities Division 6—Procedure in relation to simple possession offences 34 Application of Division 36 Referral for assessment 37 Assessment of referred person 38 Undertakings 39 Release from custody for the purposes of assessment or undertaking 40 Prosecution of simple possession offences 40A Confidentiality Part 6—Offences, penalties etc 43 Aggravated offences 44 Matters to be considered when court fixes penalty 45A Expiation of simple cannabis offences Part 7—Search, seizure, forfeiture and analysis 49 Application of Part 50 Authorised officers 51 Analysts 52 Power to search, seize etc 52A General drug detection powers 52B Special powers relating to drug transit routes 52C Report to Minister on issue of authorisations 52D General provisions relating to exercise of powers 52E Seized property and forfeiture 53 Analysis Part 7A—Youth treatment orders 54 Interpretation 54A Best interests of child are paramount consideration 54B Orders that may be made under this Part 54C Application for order 54D Making of orders 54E Proceedings in the absence of child 54F Variation or revocation of order 54G Service 54H Effect of order 54I Detention 54J Treatment may continue after 18th birthday 54K Costs of assessment or treatment 54L Special provisions relating to detention of children 54M Legal representation 54N Regulations 54O Reports 54P Review of Part Part 8—Miscellaneous 55 Licences, authorities and permits 56 Permits for research etc 56A Accreditation of drug assessment and treatment services 57 Power of Minister to prohibit certain activities 57A Warnings 58 Publication of information 60 Minister may require certain information to be given 60A Confidentiality 60B False or misleading information 61 Evidentiary provisions 62A Delegation 63 Regulations and fee notices Legislative history The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows: Part 1—Preliminary 1—Short title This Act may be cited as the Controlled Substances Act 1984. 4—Interpretation (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears— Advisory Council means the Controlled Substances Advisory Council established under Part 2; aggravated offence—where a provision differentiates between the penalty for an aggravated offence and the penalty for a basic offence, the reference to an aggravated offence is a reference to the offence in its aggravated form (see section 43); analyst means— (a) a person appointed as an analyst for the purposes of this Act; or (b) a person holding a position of a class approved by the Governor for the purposes of this Act; applied provisions means the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws that apply as a law of South Australia by virtue of section 11A; artificially enhanced cultivation means— (a) cultivation in a solution comprised wholly or principally of water enriched with nutrients; or (b) cultivation involving the application of an artificial source of light or heat; assessment service means a drug assessment service accredited under section 56A; authorised officer—see section 50(1); basic offence—where a provision differentiates between the penalty for an aggravated offence and the penalty for a basic offence, the reference to a basic offence is a reference to the offence in its non‑aggravated form (see section 43); cannabis means a plant, or any part (including the seed) of a plant, of the genus cannabis, but does not include cannabis resin or cannabis oil; cannabis oil means a substance that contains chemicals of any one or more of the following classes; (a) cannabinoids; (b) tetrahydrocannabinols; (c) alkyl homologues of tetrahydrocannabinols, where the amount of soluble material in any quantity of the substance, when dissolved in the solvent known as hexane, constitutes more than 85 per cent of the weight of that quantity of substance; cannabis resin means a substance that contains chemicals of any one or more of the following classes: (a) cannabinoids; (b) tetrahydrocannabinols; (c) alkyl homologues of tetrahydrocannabinols, where the amount of soluble material in any quantity of the substance, when dissolved in the solvent known as hexane, constitutes more than 15 per cent but not more than 85 per cent of the weight of that quantity of substance; child means a person under the age of 18 years and, in relation to the alleged commission of an offence, means a person who was, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, under that age; commercial quantity of a controlled drug, controlled precursor or controlled plant means— (a) in relation to a controlled drug or controlled precursor contained in a mixture— (i) a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form; or (ii) a quantity of the mixture that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor (as the case may be); or (iii) a number of discrete dosage units of the mixture that equals or exceeds the number of discrete dosage units prescribed as a commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor (as the case may be); or (b) in relation to a controlled drug or controlled precursor that is not contained in a mixture— (i) if the regulations prescribe an amount as a commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form—a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount so prescribed; or (ii) if the regulations do not prescribe an amount as a commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form—a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor; or (c) in relation to a controlled plant— (i) a number of the plant that equals or exceeds the number of plants prescribed as a commercial quantity for the plant; or (ii) a weight of the plant that equals or exceeds the weight prescribed as a commercial quantity for the plant; Commonwealth Act means the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 of the Commonwealth; Commonwealth Minister means the Minister of the Commonwealth responsible for the administration of the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws; Commonwealth Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of the Commonwealth that is, under the Commonwealth Minister, responsible for the administration of the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws; Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws means the Commonwealth Act and the regulations, orders and manufacturing principles under that Act; controlled drug means— (a) a drug of dependence; or (b) a substance declared by the regulations to be a controlled drug for the purposes of this Act; or (c) an interim controlled drug, but does not include a controlled plant; controlled plant means a growing cannabis plant or a cutting of a cannabis plant (provided that the cutting has been planted or otherwise placed in a growing medium) or any other plant declared by the regulations to be a controlled plant for the purposes of this Act; controlled precursor means a substance declared by the regulations to be a controlled precursor for the purposes of this Act; cultivate a controlled plant means— (a) plant a seed, seedling or cutting of the plant or transplant the plant; or (b) nurture, tend or grow the plant; or (c) harvest the plant (including pick any part of the plant or separate any resin or other substance from the plant); or (d) dry the harvested plant or part of the plant; or (e) take part in the process of cultivation of the plant; dentist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law— (a) to practise in the dental profession as a dentist (other than as a student); and (b) in the dentists division of that profession; Department means the department of the Minister to whom the administration of this Act has been committed; discrete dosage unit, in relation to a controlled drug contained in a mixture or a controlled precursor contained in a mixture, means an amount of the mixture which is prepared or apparently prepared for the purpose of being administered as a single dose; drug detection dog means a dog that has completed training of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police for the purpose of detecting the presence of a controlled drug, controlled precursor or controlled plant; drug of dependence means a poison declared by the regulations to be a drug of dependence; electronic drug detection system means— (a) an electronic device of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police; or (b) a system, of a kind approved by the Commissioner of Police, that involves the use of an electronic device, for the purpose of detecting the presence of a controlled drug, controlled precursor or controlled plant; general drug detection means— (a) walking or otherwise placing a drug detection dog in the vicinity of a person or property; or (b) using an electronic drug detection system in relation to a person or property in a manner prescribed by regulation, for the purpose of determining whether the dog or system (as the case may be) detects the presence of a controlled drug, controlled precursor or controlled plant (but does not include any other conduct by a person that would constitute a search); interim controlled drug means a substance declared to be an interim controlled drug by a notice under section 12A; large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, controlled precursor or controlled plant means— (a) in relation to a controlled drug or controlled precursor contained in a mixture— (i) a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a large commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form; or (ii) a quantity of the mixture that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a large commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor (as the case may be); or (iii) a number of discrete dosage units of the mixture that equals or exceeds the number of discrete dosage units prescribed as a large commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor (as the case may be); or (b) in relation to a controlled drug or controlled precursor that is not contained in a mixture— (i) if the regulations prescribe an amount as a large commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form—a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount so prescribed; or (ii) if the regulations do not prescribe an amount as a large commercial quantity for the drug or precursor (as the case may be) in its pure form—a quantity of the drug or precursor that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a large commercial quantity for any mixture containing the drug or precursor; or (c) in relation to a controlled plant— (i) a number of the plant that equals or exceeds the number of plants prescribed as a large commercial quantity for the plant; or (ii) a weight of the plant that equals or exceeds the weight prescribed as a large commercial quantity for the plant; manufacture, in relation to a controlled drug means— (a) undertake any process by which the drug is extracted, produced or refined; or (b) take part in the process of manufacture of the substance; medical device has the same meaning as in the applied provisions; medical practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession (other than as a student); medicine has the same meaning as in the applied provisions; midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the midwifery profession as a midwife (other than as a student); mixture—see section 33OA(3); nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the nursing profession as a nurse (other than as a student); nurse practitioner means a nurse whose registration under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law is endorsed as being qualified to practise as a nurse practitioner; owner, in relation to premises, includes the occupier of the premises; pharmacist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the pharmacy profession (other than as a student); poison means a substance declared by the regulations to be a poison for the purposes of this Act; possession of a substance or thing includes— (a) having control over the disposition of the substance or thing; and (b) having joint possession of the substance or thing; premises means any land, building, structure, vehicle, vessel or aircraft; prescription drug means a poison declared by the regulations to be a prescription drug for the purposes of this Act; product of a controlled plant includes— (a) a seed of the plant; and (b) a part of the plant (whether live or dead); and (c) a substance separated from the plant; registered health practitioner has the same meaning as in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law; school zone means the grounds of a primary or secondary school and the area within 500 metres of the boundary of the school; sell means sell, barter or exchange, offer or agree to sell, barter or exchange or expose for sale, barter or exchange; senior police officer means a police officer of or above the rank of Inspector; simple possession offence means an offence against section 33L(1) other than an offence relating to a prescribed controlled drug; substance means any gaseous, liquid or solid substance and includes a plant or fungus; supply means provide or distribute or offer to provide or distribute; traffic in a controlled drug means— (a) sell the drug; or (b) have possession of the drug intending to sell it; or (c) take part in the process of sale of the drug; trafficable quantity of a controlled drug or controlled plant means— (a) in relation to a controlled drug contained in a mixture— (i) a quantity of the drug that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a trafficable quantity for the drug in its pure form; or (ii) a quantity of the mixture that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a trafficable quantity for any mixture containing the drug; or (iii) a number of discrete dosage units of the mixture that equals or exceeds the number of discrete dosage units prescribed as a trafficable quantity for any mixture containing the drug; or (b) in relation to a controlled drug that is not contained in a mixture— (i) if the regulations prescribe an amount as a trafficable quantity for the drug in its pure form—a quantity of the drug that equals or exceeds the amount so prescribed; or (ii) if the regulations do not prescribe an amount as a trafficable quantity for the drug in its pure form—a quantity of the drug that equals or exceeds the amount prescribed as a trafficable quantity for any mixture containing the drug; or (c) in relation to a controlled plant— (i) a number of the plant that equals or exceeds the number of plants prescribed as a trafficable quantity for the plant; or (ii) a weight of the plant that equals or exceeds the weight prescribed as a trafficable quantity for the plant; treatment service means a drug treatment service accredited under section 56A; Tribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013; vessel means any ship, boat or other water craft; veterinary surgeon means a person registered as a veterinary surgeon under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003; volatile solvent means a substance declared by the regulations to be a volatile solvent for the purposes of this Act. (2) A substance is an analogue of another for the purposes of this Act if— (a) they both have substantially similar chemical structures; or (b) they both have substantially similar pharmacological effects. (3) Subject to the regulations, an analogue of a controlled drug (not being an analogue that is itself declared by regulation to be a drug of dependence or a controlled drug) is by virtue of this subsection a controlled drug. (4) For the purposes of this Act, a person takes part in the process of sale, manufacture or cultivation of a controlled drug or controlled plant if the person directs, takes or participates in any step, or causes any step to be taken, in the process of sale, manufacture or cultivation of the drug or plant. (5) For the purposes of this Act, a step in the process of sale of a controlled drug includes, without limitation, any of the following when done for the purpose of sale of the drug: (a) storing the drug; (b) carrying, transporting, loading or unloading the drug; (c) packaging the drug, separating the drug into discrete units or otherwise preparing the drug; (d) guarding or concealing the drug; (e) providing or arranging finance (including finance for the acquisition of the drug); (f) providing or allowing the use of premises or jointly occupying premises. (6) For the purposes of this Act, a step in the process of manufacture of a controlled drug includes, without limitation, any of the following when done for the purpose of manufacture of the drug: (a) acquiring equipment, substances or materials; (b) storing equipment, substances or materials; (c) carrying, transporting, loading or unloading equipment, substances or materials; (d) guarding or concealing equipment, substances or materials; (e) providing or arranging finance (including finance for the acquisition of equipment, substances or materials); (f) providing or allowing the use of premises or jointly occupying premises. (7) For the purposes of this Act, a step in the process of cultivation of a controlled plant includes, without limitation, any of the following when done for the purpose of cultivation of the plant: (a) acquiring the plant or equipment, substances or materials; (b) storing the plant or equipment, substances or materials; (c) carrying, transporting, loading or unloading the plant or equipment, substances or materials; (d) guarding or concealing the plant or equipment, substances or materials; (e) providing or arranging finance (including finance for the acquisition of the plant or equipment, substances or materials); (f) providing or allowing the use of premises or jointly occupying premises. (7a) For the purposes of this Act, in determining the maximum penalty for an offence against this Act, an offender is a serious drug offender if the offender has, within 10 years of the commission of the offence, been previously convicted of— (a) 2 or more offences against Part 5 Division 2 (other than Subdivision 4) or Division 3, being offences arising out of separate incidents; or (b) 3 or more offences against Part 5 (other than sections 33D, 33DA, 33I(2), 33K, 33L, 33LA, 33LAB or 33LB), being offences arising out of separate incidents. (8) In subsection (7)— materials includes seeds, seedlings and cuttings. 5—Application of Act (1) This Act binds the Crown. (2) The provisions of this Act are in addition to, and do not derogate from the obligations imposed by, the provisions of any other Act. (3) The provisions of this Act do not limit or derogate from any civil remedy at law or in equity. Part 2—Controlled Substances Advisory Council 6—The Controlled Substances Advisory Council (1) The Controlled Substances Advisory Council is established. (2) The Advisory Council consists of 10 members appointed by the Governor, on the nomination of the Minister, of whom— (a) 1 (the presiding member) is an officer or employee of the Department or of another administrative unit of the Public Service, or body incorporated under the Health Care Act 2008, involved in the administration of this Act; and (b) 1 is a medical practitioner; and (c) 1 is a police officer; and (ca) 1 is a legal practitioner who, in the opinion of the Minister, has experience in the administration and operation of this Act; and (d) 2 are persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have qualifications and extensive experience in the field of chemistry, pharmacy or pharmacology; and (e) 1 is a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has had extensive experience in the manufacture or sale of substances or devices to which this Act applies; and (f) 2 are persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have a wide knowledge of the factors and issues involved in controlling the manufacture, sale and supply of substances or devices to which this Act applies; and (g) 1 is, in the opinion of the Minister, a suitable person to represent the interests of the general public. (3) The Governor may appoint a suitable person to be the deputy of a member of the Advisory Council. (4) If a member is for any reason absent or unable to act as a member of the Advisory Council, his or her deputy may act as a member of the Advisory Council. 7—Terms and conditions of office (1) A member of the Advisory Council will be appointed for a term of office, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of appointment and will, on the expiration of any such term, be eligible for reappointment. (2) The Governor may remove a member of the Advisory Council from office on the ground of— (a) mental or physical incapacity to carry out satisfactorily the duties of office; or (b) neglect of duty; or (c) dishonourable conduct. (3) The office of a member of the Advisory Council becomes vacant if the member— (a) dies; or (b) completes a term of office and is not reappointed; or (c) resigns by giving notice in writing to the Minister; or (d) is removed from office by the Governor pursuant to subsection (2). (4) On the office of a member of the Advisory Council becoming vacant, a person must be appointed to that office in accordance with this Act. 8—Validity of acts of the Advisory Council An act or proceeding of the Advisory Council is not invalid by reason of a vacancy in the membership of the Advisory Council or of a defect in the appointment of a person to the Advisory Council. 9—Allowances and expenses A member of the Advisory Council is entitled to receive such allowances and expenses as the Governor may from time to time determine 10—Conduct of business (1) The presiding member or, in the presiding member's absence, his or her deputy, will preside at any meeting of the Advisory Council. (2) In the absence of both the presiding member and the presiding member's deputy from a meeting of the Advisory Council, the members present may elect one of their number to preside at that meeting. (3) Six members constitute a quorum of the Advisory Council, and no business may be transacted at any meeting of the Advisory Council unless a quorum is present. (4) A decision carried by the votes of a majority of the members present at a meeting is a decision of the Advisory Council. (5) The person presiding at a meeting of the Advisory Council will, in the event of an equality of votes, have a second, or casting, vote. (6) Subject to this Act, the business of the Advisory Council may be conducted in a manner determined by the Advisory Council. 10A—Conflict of interest under Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act A member of the Advisory Council will not be taken to have a direct or indirect interest in a matter for the purposes of the Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995 by reason only of the fact that the member has an interest in a matter that is shared in common with those engaged in or associated with the manufacture or sale of substances or devices to which the Controlled Substances Act 1984 applies generally, or a substantial section of those engaged in or associated with the manufacture or sale of such substances or devices. 11—Functions of the Advisory Council (1) The functions of the Advisory Council are as follows: (a) to keep under review substances and devices that are subject to this Act or that may, in the opinion of the Advisory Council, need to be brought under this Act and the controls (if any) that are, or should be, applicable to them; and (b) to advise the Minister on the measures that should, in the opinion of the Advisory Council, be taken in relation to imposing, withdrawing or varying controls in respect of any of those substances or devices; and (c) to monitor the administration and operation of this Act; and (d) such other functions as the Minister may assign to the Advisory Council. (2) The Advisory Council may make recommendations to the Minister for— (a) amendments to this Act; or (b) making, varying or revoking regulations under this Act. (3) The Advisory Council must advise the Minister on any matter referred by the Minister to the Advisory Council for advice. (4) The Advisory Council may establish subcommittees for the purpose of giving advice to the Advisory Council in the performance of its functions. (5) A subcommittee will consist of such members of the Advisory Council, and such other persons co-opted by the Advisory Council, as the Advisory Council thinks fit. (6) The Advisory Council must, not later than 31 October in each year, report to the Minister on the administration and operation of this Act during the previous financial year. (7) The Minister must, as soon as practicable after receipt of a report submitted under subsection (6), cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament. Part 2A—Application in South Australia of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws Division 1—Applied provisions 11A—Application of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws (1) The Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws, as in force for the time being and as modified by or under this Part, apply as a law of South Australia. (2) Those Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws so apply as if they extended to— (a) things done or omitted to be done by persons who are not corporations; and (b) things done or omitted to be done in the course of trade and commerce within the limits of South Australia. (3) For the purposes of this section, the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws are modified as follows: (a) a reference to the Federal Court or the Federal Court of Australia is to be read as a reference to the District Court of South Australia; (b) a reference to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal is to be read as a reference to the Tribunal; (c) a reference to a prescribed court is to be read as a reference to a prescribed court excluding the Federal Court; (d) any other modifications specified by the regulations. 11B—Interpretation of Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws (1) The Acts Interpretation Act 1901 of the Commonwealth, as in force for the time being— (a) applies to the interpretation of the applied provisions; and (b) so applies as if the applied provisions were an Act of the Commonwealth or regulations or orders under a Commonwealth Act, as the case requires. (2) The Acts Interpretation Act 1915 does not apply to the applied provisions. Division 2—Functions and powers under applied provisions 11C—Functions and powers of Commonwealth Minister The Commonwealth Minister has the same functions and powers under the applied provisions as that Minister has under the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws as those laws apply to the Commonwealth. 11D—Functions and powers of Commonwealth Secretary (1) The Commonwealth Secretary has the same functions and powers under the applied provisions as that Secretary has under the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws as those laws apply to the Commonwealth. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Commonwealth Secretary has the function of including goods in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods kept under the applied provisions and is authorised to cancel the inclusion of goods in that Register in accordance with those provisions. 11E—Commonwealth may retain fees paid to Commonwealth Secretary The Commonwealth may retain fees paid to, or recovered by, the Commonwealth Secretary in respect of the performance or exercise of functions or powers conferred on the Commonwealth Secretary by the applied provisions. 11F—Functions and powers of other persons An authorised person, authorised officer or official analyst appointed under the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws has the same functions and powers under the applied provisions as that person, officer or analyst has under the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws as those laws apply to the Commonwealth. 11G—Delegation by Commonwealth Minister or Commonwealth Secretary Any delegation by the Commonwealth Minister or the Commonwealth Secretary under section 57 of the Commonwealth Act is taken to extend to, and have effect for the purposes of, the corresponding provision of the applied provisions. 11H—Appointments under Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws The appointment of a person to an office or position under a provision of the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws is taken to extend to, and have effect for the purposes of, the applied provisions. Division 3—Offences against applied provisions 11I—Application of Commonwealth criminal laws to offences against applied provisions (1) The relevant Commonwealth laws apply as laws of South Australia in relation to any offence committed against the applied provisions as if the applied provisions were a law of the Commonwealth and not a law of South Australia. (2) For the purposes of a law of South Australia, an offence against the applied provisions— (a) is taken to be an offence against the laws of the Commonwealth in the same way as if the applied provisions were a law of the Commonwealth; and (b) is taken not to be an offence against the laws of South Australia. (3) Subsection (2) has effect for the purposes of a law of South Australia except as prescribed by the regulations. 11J—Functions and powers conferred on certain Commonwealth officers and authorities relating to offences (1) A provision of the applied provisions applying because of section 11I that confers on a Commonwealth officer or authority a function or power in relation to an offence against the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws also confers on the officer or authority the same function or power in relation to an offence against the corresponding provision of the applied provisions. (2) In performing a function, or exercising a power, conferred by subsection (1), the Commonwealth officer or authority must act as nearly as is practicable as the officer or authority would act in performing or exercising the same function or power in relation to an offence against the corresponding provision of the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws. 11K—No double jeopardy for offences against applied provisions If— (a) an act or omission is both an offence against the applied provisions and an offence against the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws; and (b) the offender has been punished for that offence under the Commonwealth therapeutic goods laws, the offender is not liable to be punished for that offence under the applied provisions. Division 4—Reviews and appeals 11L—Tribunal may sit with assessors (1) For the purposes of section 22 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013, there will be a panel of assessors consisting of persons who have expertise that would be of value to the Tribunal in relation to proceedings before the Tribunal on a review or an appeal under the applied provisions. (2) In any proceedings before the Tribunal on a review or an appeal under the applied provisions, the Tribunal may, if the President so determines, sit with 1 or more assessors selected by the President from the panel referred to in subsection (1). (3) In this section— President means the President of the Tribunal appointed under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013. Part 3—Controlled substances 12—Declaration of poisons, prescription drugs, drugs of dependence, controlled drugs etc (1) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, any substance that in the Governor's opinion has the potential to be harmful to humans to be a poison for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, a poison to be a prescription drug for the purposes of this Act. (3) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, a poison that in the Governor's opinion may lead to dependence in humans to be a drug of dependence for the purposes of this Act. (4) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, any substance that in the Governor's opinion may lead to dependence in humans or is of exceptional danger to humans to be a controlled drug for the purposes of this Act. (4a) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, a substance that in the Governor's opinion may be used in the manufacture of a controlled drug to be a controlled precursor for the purposes of this Act. (4b) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, a plant that in the Governor's opinion has the potential if it, or any product of it, is smoked or consumed by, or administered to, humans to lead to dependence in humans to be a controlled plant for the purposes of this Act. (7) The Governor may, by regulation, declare, individually or by class, any substance that in the Governor's opinion is a volatile solvent, or contains a volatile solvent, to be a volatile solvent for the purposes of this Act. (8) In any regulations made for the purposes of this section, the Governor may assign a poison or drug of dependence to a specified class or specified classes. 12A—Interim controlled drugs (1) The Attorney‑General may, if he or she is of the opinion that a substance may be of exceptional danger to humans, by notice in the Gazette, declare the substance to be an interim controlled drug. (2) A notice under subsection (1)— (a) operates for a period specified in the notice (being a period of not more than 12 months); and (b) may be varied or revoked at any time by the Attorney‑General by further notice in the Gazette; and (c) may refer to a substance by its trade name or in any other manner. Part 4—General offences 13—Manufacture and packing (1) A person must not manufacture or pack a poison, medicine or medical device to which this section applies unless the person— (a) is a registered health practitioner or veterinary surgeon acting in the ordinary course of his or her profession; or (b) is licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) This section applies to such poisons (other than prescription drugs), medicines or medical devices as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. (3) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), the paragraphs of the subsection are to be treated as providing exceptions, and, if the complaint negatives the exceptions or alleges that the defendant acted without lawful authority, no proof will be required in relation to the exceptions by the prosecution but the application of an exception will be a matter for proof by the defendant. (4) In this section— manufacture— (a) in relation to a substance, means undertake any process by which the substance is extracted, produced, refined, separated into discrete units or otherwise prepared; and (b) in relation to a device, means undertake any process by which the device is produced. 14—Sale by wholesale (1) A person must not sell by wholesale a poison, medicine or medical device to which this section applies unless the person— (a) is a pharmacist acting in the ordinary course of his or her profession; or (b) is licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) This section applies to such poisons (other than prescription drugs), medicines or medical devices as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. (3) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), the paragraphs of the subsection are to be treated as providing exceptions, and, if the complaint negatives the exceptions or alleges that the defendant acted without lawful authority, no proof will be required in relation to the exceptions by the prosecution but the application of an exception will be a matter for proof by the defendant. 15—Sale or supply to end user (1) A person must not sell by retail or supply to a person a poison, medicine or medical device to which this section applies unless the person— (a) is a registered health practitioner or veterinary surgeon acting in the ordinary course of his or her profession; or (b) is licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) This section applies to such poisons (other than prescription drugs), medicines or medical devices as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. (3) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), the paragraphs of the subsection are to be treated as providing exceptions, and, if the complaint negatives the exceptions or alleges that the defendant acted without lawful authority, no proof will be required in relation to the exceptions by the prosecution but the application of an exception will be a matter for proof by the defendant. 16—Sale of certain poisons (1) A person must not sell a poison to which this section applies to a person under the age of 18 years. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) A person must not sell a poison to which this section applies— (a) unless the purchaser is known to the vendor; or (b) unless the purchaser produces satisfactory evidence of his or her identity. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (3) If a person seeks to purchase a poison to which this section applies, the vendor must ask the prospective purchaser the purpose for which the poison is required, and must not proceed with the sale unless the question is satisfactorily answered. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (4) A person who sells poisons to which this section applies must keep prescribed records. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (5) This section applies to such poisons as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. 17—Sale of poisons the possession of which requires a licence A person must not sell a poison the possession of which requires a licence under this Act unless the purchaser produces his or her licence. Maximum penalty: $10 000. 17A—Manufacture, sale, supply or possession of certain precursors (1) A person must not, unless he or she holds a permit from the Minister to do so, manufacture, sell or supply a poison to which this section applies (a section 17A precursor). Maximum penalty: $15 000 or imprisonment for 3 years, or both. (2) A person must not, unless he or she holds a permit from the Minister to do so, be in possession of a section 17A precursor. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both. (3) A person must not sell a section 17A precursor unless the purchaser produces the permit under which the person is entitled to be in possession of the section 17A precursor. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both. (4) This section applies to such poisons as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. 17B—Storage and sale of certain precursors (1) A person must not sell a poison to which this section applies (a section 17B precursor) to another person unless— (a) the purchaser holds an account with the seller; and (b) the sale is transacted as a sale on account pursuant to a duly completed order form supplied by the purchaser; and (c) the order form is accompanied by a duly completed end user statement in the form prescribed by regulation; and (d) the person collecting the precursor produces his or her driver's licence, passport or other satisfactory evidence of the person's identity that includes a photograph; and (e) the seller is satisfied that the person collecting the precursor is the purchaser or is acting on behalf of the purchaser; and (f) the seller duly completes the seller's section of the end user statement. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 3 years, or both. (2) A seller of section 17B precursors— (a) must, in relation to each sale of such a precursor, keep a record of— (i) the name and address of the purchaser; and (ii) the name of the precursor and the quantity sold; and (iii) the date of the sale; and (b) must retain an end user statement for at least 5 years after the date of the sale to which it relates; and (c) must make the record referred to in paragraph (a) and the end user statements available for inspection at any time by an authorised officer. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 3 years, or both. (3) A seller of section 17B precursors must, if at any time he or she forms a suspicion that an order or enquiry for the purchase of such a precursor may be connected to an unlawful use of the precursor, inform the Commissioner of Police of the suspicion. Maximum penalty: $1 000 or imprisonment for 12 months, or both. (4) A seller of section 17B precursors— (a) must keep those precursors in storage that is secure from access by any person other than the seller or a person who is authorised in writing by the seller to have such access; and (b) must retain such a written authorisation while it is current and for at least 5 years after it ceases to have effect and make it available for inspection at any time by an authorised officer; and (c) must cause the stock of those precursors to be checked, after each sale, by some person other than the person who directly handled the sale. Maximum penalty: $1 000 or imprisonment for 12 months, or both. (5) This section does not apply in relation to the sale of a section 17B precursor if the sale— (a) is of a section 17B precursor contained in a preparation designed, packaged and labelled for human or animal therapeutic use; and (b) is made to, or by, a registered health practitioner or veterinary surgeon acting in the ordinary course of his or her profession. (6) This section applies to such poisons as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. 17C—Regulation of sale of certain precursors (1) A person must not sell a poison to which this section applies (a section 17C precursor) to another person unless— (a) the purchaser provides the seller with a duly completed end user statement in the form prescribed by regulation; and (b) the purchaser produces his or her driver's licence, passport or other satisfactory evidence of the person's identity that includes a photograph; and (c) the seller duly completes the seller's section of the end user statement. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 3 years, or both. (2) A seller of section 17C precursors must, if at any time he or she forms a suspicion that an order or enquiry for the purchase of such a precursor may be connected to an unlawful use of the precursor, inform the Commissioner of Police of the suspicion. Maximum penalty: $1 000 or imprisonment for 12 months, or both. (3) This section does not apply in relation to the sale of a section 17C precursor if the sale— (a) is of a section 17C precursor contained in a preparation designed, packaged and labelled for human or animal therapeutic use; and (b) is made to, or by, a registered health practitioner or veterinary surgeon acting in the ordinary course of his or her profession. (4) This section applies to such poisons as may be prescribed, individually or by class, by the regulations. 18—Regulation of prescription drugs (1) A person must not prescribe a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) except as follows: (a) a registered health practitioner may prescribe a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) for a person if he or she is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner or nurse practitioner; or (ii) the practitioner's registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to prescribe a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines and the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to prescribe the drug by the regulations; (b) a veterinary surgeon may prescribe a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) for an animal if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession; (c) a person may prescribe a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) for a person or an animal if licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1a) A person must not sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by wholesale except as follows: (a) a pharmacist may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by wholesale if the pharmacist is acting in the ordinary course of the pharmacist's profession; (b) a person may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by wholesale if licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1b) A person must not sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by retail except as follows: (a) a pharmacist may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by retail if the pharmacist— (i) is dispensing the drug on the prescription of a person of a class authorised to prescribe the drug; and (ii) is acting in the ordinary course of the pharmacist's profession; (b) a registered health practitioner may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by retail if the practitioner is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner or nurse practitioner; or (ii) the practitioner's registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to sell a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines and the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to sell the drug by the regulations; (c) a veterinary surgeon may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by retail if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession; (d) a person may sell a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) by retail if the person is licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1c) A person must not supply a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to another person except as follows: (a) a pharmacist may supply a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to a person if the pharmacist— (i) is dispensing the drug on the prescription of a person of a class authorised to prescribe the drug; and (ii) is acting in the ordinary course of the pharmacist's profession; (b) a registered health practitioner may supply a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to a person if the practitioner is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner, nurse or midwife; or (ii) the practitioner's registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to supply a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines and the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to supply the drug by the regulations; (c) a veterinary surgeon may supply a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to a person for an animal if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession; (d) a person may supply a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to another person if licensed to do so by the Minister. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1d) A person must not administer a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to another person or an animal except as follows: (a) a registered health practitioner may administer a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to a person if the practitioner is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner, nurse or midwife; or (ii) the practitioner's registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to administer a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines and the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to administer the drug by the regulations; (b) a veterinary surgeon may administer a prescription drug (other than a drug of dependence) to an animal if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession; (c) a person may administer a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to another person if— (i) the person is licensed to do so by the Minister; or (ii) the drug has been lawfully prescribed for, or supplied to, that other person; (d) a person may administer a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) to an animal if— (i) the person is licensed to do so by the Minister; or (ii) the drug has been lawfully prescribed or supplied for that animal. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1e) A person must not manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) except as follows: (a) a pharmacist may manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) if the pharmacist is acting in the ordinary course of the pharmacist's profession; (b) a registered health practitioner may manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) if the practitioner is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner or nurse practitioner; or (ii) the practitioner's registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to sell, supply or administer a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines, the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement and the manufacture or packing is incidental to the sale, supply or administration of the drug; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to manufacture or pack the drug by the regulations; (c) a veterinary surgeon may manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession; (d) a person may manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) if licensed to do so by the Minister; (e) a person may manufacture or pack a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) if— (i) the drug has been lawfully prescribed for the person, another person or an animal; and (ii) the manufacture or packing is incidental to the administration of the drug as so prescribed. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (2) A person must not prescribe a prescribed prescription drug unless the person has the qualifications or meets the requirements specified in the regulations for the purposes of this subsection. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (3) A person must not have in his or her possession a prescription drug (not being a drug of dependence) unless he or she— (a) is the person, or is acting on behalf of the person, for whom the drug has been lawfully prescribed or supplied; or (b) is the owner, or is acting on behalf of the owner, of an animal for whom the drug has been lawfully prescribed or supplied; or (c) is a person authorised by law to sell or supply prescription drugs; or (d) is licensed to do so by the Minister; or (e) has other lawful authority or reasonable excuse for doing so. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (4) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1) or (3), the paragraphs of the subsection are to be treated as providing exceptions, and, if the complaint negatives the exceptions or alleges that the defendant acted without lawful authority and, in the case of a complaint for an offence against subsection (3), without reasonable excuse, no proof will be required in relation to the exceptions by the prosecution but the application of an exception will be a matter for proof by the defendant. (5) In this section— manufacture, in relation to a substance, means undertake any process by which the substance is extracted, produced, refined, separated into discrete units or otherwise prepared. 18A—Restriction of prescription or supply of drug of dependence in certain circumstances (a1) A person must not prescribe for a person or an animal a drug of dependence except as follows: (a) a registered health practitioner may prescribe a drug of dependence for a person if the practitioner is acting in the ordinary course of the practitioner's profession and— (i) the practitioner is a dentist, medical practitioner or nurse practitioner; or (ii) the practitioner is a registered health practitioner whose registration is endorsed under section 94 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as being qualified to prescribe a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines and the drug is a scheduled medicine or of a class of scheduled medicines specified in the endorsement; or (iii) the practitioner is authorised to prescribe the drug by the regulations; (b) a veterinary surgeon may prescribe a drug of dependence for an animal if the veterinary surgeon is acting in the ordinary course of the veterinary surgeon's profession. Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. (1) A registered health practitioner must not prescribe any drug of dependence for, or supply any drug of dependence to— (a) a person for regular use by the person during a period exceeding 2 months, or during a period that, together with any other period for which a drug of dependence has, to the practitioner's knowledge, been prescribed or supplied by a registered health practitioner, would result in drugs of dependence being regularly used by the person during a period exceeding 2 months; or (b) a person who the practitioner knows or has reasonable cause to believe is dependent on drugs, unless the practitioner prescribes or supplies the drug in accordance with an authority granted by the Minister under this section or in circumstances that are exempted from this subsection by the regulations. Maximum penalty: $4 000 or imprisonment for 4 years. (2) For the purposes of this section, a person is dependent on drugs if— (a) the person— (i) has acquired, as a result of the repeated administration of prescription drugs or controlled drugs, an overpowering desire for the continued administration of such drugs; and (ii) is likely to suffer mental or physical distress or disorder on cessation of the administration of such drugs; or (b) the person has a history of consuming or using prescription drugs or controlled drugs in a quantity or manner that— (i) in the case of drugs lawfully supplied to the person—is contrary to the prescribing practitioner's instructions relating to consumption or use of the drug; and (ii) in any case—presents a risk to the person's health. (3) An application for the authority of the Minister to prescribe or supply a drug of dependence under this section must— (a) be made in a manner and form approved by the Minister by the registered health practitioner who proposes to prescribe or supply the drug; and (b) include such information as the Minister may require. (4) The Minister may give an authority to the registered health practitioner by whom any such appl