In the UK, legislation exists to prohibit unlawful access to substances considered to have the potential for misuse and to cause harm to society. The legislation makes it a criminal offence for unauthorised people to possess, supply, manufacture or cultivate substances scheduled by the legislation. These substances are known as controlled drugs.
Museums that have possession of substances that appear in the Home Office’s current Controlled Drugs List risk committing an offence unless they comply with the law (see The Law).