Law on Substance Controls of 1961

Law on Substance Controls of 1961
Popular Assembly
Date passed	20 March 1961
Date commenced	3 April 1961
Summary
Regulates drugs in Gylias.
Status: Current legislation

The Law on Substance Controls of 1961 is a Gylian federal law that regulates the production and distribution of drugs.

The law forms the basis of Gylias' regulated drug policy, and has had a significant impact on Gylian society, culture, and foreign reputation.

Background

Gylias having no historical tradition of drug prohibition, drug policy was primarily influenced by economic considerations. During the transition from the Free Territories to Gylias, drug use emerged as a political issue, however with the focus on drug safety rather than punitive measures.

Several communal assemblies and municipal governments created local monopolies on manufacturing and retailing of alcohol and tobacco. A proposal to federate these local monopolies was put to voters in a 1960 referendum, and approved. The Popular Assembly then passed the Law on Substance Controls of 1961.

After the presidency was established in 1961, Reda Kazan signed all federal laws passed up to that point as a formality.

Text of the law

1. This law shall regulate the production and distribution of mind-altering and intoxicating substances in Gylias.
2. All regulations on substances are based on the principle of reducing abuse, ensuring safety, and advancing scientific knowledge for the benefit of society.
3. A Controlled Substances Administration is established to oversee substance controls, carry out research, and classify substances based on effects.
4. All producers and distributors must be licensed with the Controlled Substances Administration and follow guidelines.
5. Medical personnel shall receive appropriate training and responsibility for administering substances.

Effects

The law establishes the fundamental principles of Gylian drug policy: harm reduction, scientific research, and the betterment of society. It gives the Controlled Substances Administration extensive powers to regulate every aspect of drug production and distribution, thus making it the equivalent of a federal monopoly linking producers and retailers.

The provision emphasising the role of trained medical personnel in safely administering drugs led to the establishment of supervised drug consumption facilities.

The law is unique in not making any judgements regarding drug use, even acknowledging its potential to benefit society. Drugs are regulated much like pharmaceuticals, and the legal classifications created by the CSA have favoured responsible drug use and hallucinogens.

By creating an official system to ensure safe and responsible consumption of drugs, the law has had a significant impact on Gylian society and culture. It created a "psychedelic revolution", with psychedelia becoming an accepted part of popular culture, and the use of drugs for enlightenment and progress being championed by acid communism and the LSD Party. Public acceptance of drug use, in conjunction with a preference for psychedelics over harder drugs, has been credited with shaping the peaceful and easygoing character of Gylian society, and consolidating the Gylian consensus.

The far-reaching aspects of the law served to make Gylias a pioneer in drug liberalisation during the 1960s. However, this led to sensationalist coverage abroad and caused difficulties for similar liberalisation movements, such as Delkora's. The law thus contributed to stereotypes of Gylians abroad but also Gylias' reputation as a "land of musicians and artists", attracting significant drug tourism.