Authorization of activities otherwise unlawful under sections 5, 6 and 7

(1) The Minister may by Regulations exclude or except from sections 5, 6 and 7 any controlled drug as may be specified in the Regulations. (2) Subject to sub-section (3), the Minister shall so exercise his powers to make Regulations under sub-section (1) as to secure– (a) that it is not unlawful under section 6(1) for a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary practitioner acting in his capacity as such, to prescribe, administer, manufacture, compound or supply a controlled drug, or for a chemist and druggist acting in his capacity as such, to manufacture, compound or supply a controlled drug; and (b) that it is not unlawful under section 7(1) for a dentist, veterinary practitioner, or chemist and druggist to have a controlled drug in his possession for the purpose of acting in his capacity as such. (3) If in the case of a controlled drug the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest– (a) for production, supply and possession of that drug to be either wholly unlawful or unlawful except for purposes of research or other special purposes; or 21 (b) for it to be unlawful for medical practitioners, dentists, chemists and druggists and veterinary practitioners to do so in relation to that drug any of the things mentioned in sub-section (2) except under a licence or other authority issued by the Minister, he may by Order designate that drug as a drug to which this sub- section applies and whilst there is in force an Order under this sub-section designating a controlled drug as one to which this sub-section applies, sub-section (2), shall not apply as regards that drug. (4) An Order made under sub-section (3), shall be laid before the National Assembly as soon as may be after the making thereof and shall be subject to negative resolution. (5) The Minister shall not make any Order under sub-section (3) except after consultation with or on the recommendation of the Council. (6) References in this section to a person “doing” things include references to his having things in his possession.