The Parliament adopted the Draft Criminal Code for the I reading, envisaging stricter liabilities for the marijuana and cannabis related offences.

According to the Chair of the Committee, Archil Gorduladze, an Article has been withdrawn from the Code, regulating the illegal acquisition, storage, transportation and transfer of marijuana and cannabis, however, envisaging lenient sanctions.

“For many years, the Constitutional Court has been issuing orders that ultimately led to the widespread use of drugs. Certain campaigns have been conducted to mislead people into believing that marijuana is a light drug; similar campaigns have also been directed at so-called “club” drugs, which have resulted in an increase in the number of addicts. This is a serious concern for our society and poses a problem for our future. If we want to ensure a better future, we need to implement a legal framework that will minimise the distribution and use of drugs”, - he stated.

In accordance with the recent amendments, the acquisition, storage, transportation, and transfer of cannabis in a small quantity, up to 10 grams, and marijuana in a dry form up to 5 grams and a fresh form up to 10 grams, will be subject to administrative liability. Individuals found guilty of repeated offences may face penalties or community service and/or a sentence of up to one year.

The acquisition, storage, transportation, and transfer of the the amounts of marijuana and cannabis, entailing criminal liability - 10-155 grams of the plant cannabis, 5-70 grams of the dry marijuana, and 10-140 grams of the fresh marijuana, shall be subject to the detention with up to six years, and the illegal preparation, transfer or transportation - detention of 3-7 years.

The regulations get stricter for the cultivation and sale of marijuana and cannabis.

“Facilitation of the illegal sale of the psychotropic substance, its analog or a potent substance, cannabis plant or marijuana, other narcotic drugs, their analogs, precursors or new psychoactive agents shall be subject to the penalty as applied for the sale. The hereof amendment also applies to the so-called “planters” the individuals, hiding the drugs in certain spots of the public area”, - he elucidated.

The Bill was approved by 81 MPs.