Drug production sanctions relaxed

Georgia’s Constitutional Court has accounted that the cultivation of cannabis for personal use is no longer punishable with imprisonment.

The solution came after the appeal of Georgian citizens David Khomeriki and Lasha Gagishvili against the Parliament of Georgia, who were demanding a ban on several norms of the Criminal Code.

The people asked the Court to declare the norms which state that the sowing/cultivation of 63,73 gr, 150,72 gr and 265,49 gr of cannabis are crime is unconstitutional.

The Court decided that imprisonment for the sowing/cultivation of 63,73 gr and 150,72 gr cannabis is not unlawful, as this amount of narcotics could be used for only personal use.

However, they declared that the sowing/cultivation of 265,49gr cannabis still remains punishable with imprisonment, as in this case there is a threat of selling the drug.

When it came to the imprisonment from six to 11 years for sowing/cultivation of 265,49 gr cannabis, the Court stressed the term "was obviously not proportional,” which means it will be revised.

Georgia continues efforts to ease strict drug legislation, especially in terms of marijuana.

Those supporting the liberalisation of drug policy appeal to the government to address same attitudes in terms of other drugs.

Naturally there must not be a prison sentence for those using drugs for personal use.

However, those making decisions in this direction must be very cautious to specify amounts, as there are always risks of drugs being sold.

The government of donor organisations should also do more to spend more for treatment of those dependent on various drugs.