Article 73 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 73 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 73 explained in plain English
This article regulates the relationship between the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law and the legislation preceding it, and provides for two repeals:
- An express repeal of the Law on Preventing Trafficking in Narcotics or Psychotropic Substances issued by Royal Order No. 3318 dated 9/4/1353 AH, which was the law that regulated this field before the current Law.
- A repeal of every provision that conflicts with this Law, without the article specifying those provisions.
The practical effect is that the reference for narcotics and psychotropic substance offenses, their penalties and the licenses to deal in them is this Law with its provisions, tables and Implementing Regulations, and that any earlier provision that conflicts with it has no effect.
Article 74 provides that the Law is published in the Official Gazette and takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication.
As for which of the two laws applies to facts that occurred before the new Law took effect, this article does not address it, and anyone with a case of this kind needs to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal and drug cases.
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 73 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Which law did the Anti-Narcotics Law repeal?
It repealed the Law on Preventing Trafficking in Narcotics or Psychotropic Substances issued by Royal Order No. 3318 dated 9/4/1353 AH, and every provision that conflicts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 it.
Does the Law repeal provisions other than the previous law?
Yes. It repeals every provision that conflicts with it, without the article specifying them.
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 70
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.
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
- 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 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.

