Article 70 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 70 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article gives the Minister of Health the power to amend the tables attached to the Law by adding substances, deleting some, or changing their order or proportions, with the amendment published in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لوزير الصحة أن يعدل الجداول المرافقة لهذا النظام، بإضافة مواد جديدة إليها أو حذف بعض المواد المذكورة فيها أو إجراء تغيير عليها في الترتيب أو النسب، وينشر ذلك في الجريدة الرسمية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 70 explained in plain English
The Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law relies on attached tables that identify the substances it applies to. Article 1 defines narcotics as those listed in Table No. (1), psychotropic substances as those listed in Table No. (2), and chemical precursors as those listed in Table No. (3).
This article gives the Minister of Health the power to amend these tables by:
- adding new substances to them.
- Deleting some of the substances mentioned in them.
- Making changes to them in the order or proportions.
The amendment must be published in the Official Gazette.
The practical effect of this article is that the list of substances subject to the Law is not fixed, but can be updated by decision of the Minister of Health without amending the text of the Law itself. Article 71 confirms that the tables attached to the Law and their amendments are an integral part of it, so added substances have the same status as those originally listed.
Therefore, knowing whether a particular substance is listed requires consulting the tables with their latest published amendments. Anyone who needs to verify the status of a particular substance or medicine should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal and drug cases.
Practical example
A new manufactured substance with an effect on the nervous system appears on the market and was not listed in the tables. Under this article the Minister of Health may add it to the psychotropic substances table, and the amendment is published in the Official Gazette, so it becomes part of the tables attached to the Law.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 70 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Who can amend the narcotics tables in Saudi Arabia?
The Minister of Health, by adding new substances, deleting substances or changing the order or proportions, with this published in the Official Gazette.
What are the tables attached to the narcotics law?
They include the narcotics table No. (1), the psychotropic substances table No. (2) and the chemical precursors table No. (3), according to the definitions in Article 1.
Do amendments to the tables have the force of the Law?
Article 71 provides that the tables attached to the Law and their amendments are an integral part of it.
More articles on Narcotics Definitions and Schedules
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms of the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, such as narcotic substances, psychotropic substances, importation, possession, holding, money laundering and confiscation.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمامها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك : المواد المخدرة : كل مادة طبيعية أو مركبة أو مصنعة
- Article 2
The article excludes emergency and first-aid medicines containing narcotic substances carried on ships and aircraft from importation, exportation and smuggling, on specific conditions.
لا يعد جلبا أو تصديرا أو تهريبا الكميات المحددة من الأدوية الطبية التي تحتوي على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية تحملها وسائط النقل، كالسفن والطائرات، لمواجهة الحالا
- Article 69
The article tasks the Ministries of Interior, Justice and Health with preparing the Implementing Regulations within 180 days of the Law taking effect, to be issued by Council of Ministers decision and published in the Official Gazette.
تعد وزارة الداخلية ووزارة العدل و وزارة الصحة ، اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، خلال مئة وثمانين يوما بعد العمل بهذا النظام، وتصدر بقرار من مجلس الوزراء ، وتنشر
- Article 71
The article provides that the tables attached to the Anti-Narcotics Law and their amendments are an integral part of it, with the force of the Law itself.
تعد الجداول المرافقة لهذا النظام، وتعديلاتها، جزءا لا يتجزأ منه.
- Article 73
The article repeals the Law on Preventing Trafficking in Narcotics or Psychotropic Substances issued by Royal Order No. 3318 dated 9/4/1353 AH, and every provision that conflicts with the new Law.
يلغي هذا النظام نظام منع الاتجار بالمواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية الصادر بالأمر السامي ذي الرقم 3318 والتاريخ 9 / 4 / 1353 هـ وكل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
- Article 74
The article provides for publishing the Anti-Narcotics Law in the Official Gazette and for it to take effect 90 days after the date of its publication.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية ، ويعمل به بعد تسعين يوما من تاريخ نشره.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.