section 4(2)(a) of and Schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Anabolic steroids - production of

The statutory wording, points to prove, defences and penalty — verified against legislation.gov.uk (current revised versions, July 2026).

What the law says

Anabolic steroids - production of — topic/offence reference under Contrary to section 4(2)(a) of and Schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971..

CJS codes

Official CJS offence index (March 2026)

—Charged under the specific underlying offence code.

Points to prove

1. The defendant produced a controlled drug, i.e. produced it by manufacture, cultivation or any other method (s 37(1) MDA 1971)
2. The drug produced was an anabolic steroid, a controlled drug of Class C
3. The production was in contravention of s 4(1) MDA 1971, i.e. not authorised by regulations under s 7 (e.g. a Home Office licence)

Defences

Statutory defence — s 28(2)/(3) MDA 1971 (applies to s 4(2) offences): the defendant proves he neither knew of nor suspected nor had reason to suspect the existence of some fact alleged by the prosecution which it must prove (e.g. that the substance was a controlled drug)
Production authorised by regulations under s 7 MDA 1971 (e.g. Home Office licence) is not in contravention of s 4(1), so no offence is committed

Mode of trial & maximum penalty

Either way — Summary: 3 months' imprisonment and/or a £2,500 fine; Indictment: 14 years' imprisonment

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Sources

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