s 3 Activities prohibited without a licence
(1) A member of the general public commits an offence if he or she does anything listed in subsection (2) without having a licence, or a recognised non-GB licence, to do that thing with respect to that substance. (2) The things are— (a) importing a regulated substance, (b) acquiring a regulated substance, (c) possessing a regulated substance, (d) using a regulated substance. (3) For the purposes of this section— (a) “ acquiring ” means taking into your possession, custody or control, (b) “ importing ” means bringing into Great Britain from a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, (c) “ member of the general public ” means an individual who is acting (alone or with others) for purposes not connected with his or her trade, business or profession or the performance by him or her of a public function, (d) “ possessing ” means having in your possession, custody or control, and (e) “ using ” includes processing, formulating, storing, treating or mixing, including in the production of an article. (4) A member of the general public does not commit an offence under subsection (1) if the requirements of this section do not apply to his or her case by virtue of regulations made under section 9B. (5) This section does not apply to the possession or use of a regulated substance at any time before 3 March 2016.