Legal Highs Ban Would Push it Into 'Dark Web'

According to the National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime report of the National Crime Agency, the trade of legal highs would further push into the dark web once legislation had successfully banned all legal highs.

An alteration in the law from banning just new legal highs from entering the market into a ban towards all legal highs would prove its moving into uncharted territory.

“Change in legislation around NPS in May 2016 effectively banning so-called 'legal highs’ is likely to see a large increase in these drugs being offered through the dark web instead,” the report, published late last week, reads. According to the report’s methodology, “likely” refers to an “associated probability range” of 75-85 percent.

A UK-based seller named SaintSymbiosis is selling 7 grams of Spice for 0.1094 bitcoins or £50.

Other formerly legal drugs including Benzo Fury are available in the dark web.

Before the ban, people had sourced their legal highs from digital shops on the mainstream web. 

Because of the bans, the sale of the products may move in both the dark web and the black market.

A Home Office spokesperson said, “These dangerous drugs have already cost far too many lives. The Psychoactive Substances Act is sending out a clear message - this government will take whatever action is necessary to keep our families and communities safe. These drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we will not allow them to be sold in this country.

“Legislation is part of our approach to drugs which involves preventing drug use in our communities and helping dependent individuals to recover,” the spokesperson said, “while ensuring our drugs laws are enforced.”