Since its entry into force in 1982, the Narcotics Act has been extensively amended several times. The most important amendments include the following:
the explicit statutory recognition of substitution-based treatment for drug addicts (section 13 subs. 1 sentence 1);
the extension of the range of punishment for basic drug offences from "imprisonment of up to four years or a fine" to "imprisonment of up to five years or a fine" (cf section 29 subs. 1);
the legal clarification that the supply of sterile disposable syringes to addicts is not liable to prosecution (section 29 subs. 1 sentence 2);
eased option of refraining from prosecution in case of minor "personal use" offences based on the sole decision of the public prosecutor without obtaining the consent of the court (decriminalisation pursuant to section 31a);
new legal provisions that make it easier for convicted drug-addicted offenders to start or resume drug rehab therapy as an alternative to imprisonment according to the prerequisites set out in sections 35 to 38 of the Narcotics Act;
introduction of new penal offences and severe minimum penalties into the Narcotics Act for cases of serious drug trafficking by virtue of the Crime Suppression Act and the Act on Combating Organized Crime (OrgKG);
limited permission of industrial hemp cultivation by registered agricultural establishments in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No. 1308/70 on the common organization of the market in flax and hemp (details in section 24a and Schedule I "Cannabis");
enabling the establishment of drug consumption rooms (cf section 10a and below in chapter "Prevention, Care, Treatment");
introduction of a substitution register and stipulation of the minimum requirements for the qualification of physicians carrying out substitution therapy for the purpose of enhancing the quality, efficacy and safety of the substitution-based treatment of opiate addicts;
introduction of diamorphine-based substitution treatment for hardcore opiate addicts.