Georgian PM: Marijuana cultivation for medical purposes will be strongly regulated
Georgian PM Mamuka Bakhtadze confirmed that a draft law prepared by the Interior Ministry includes a section on marijuana export from Georgia for medical purposes. Photo: Prime Minister’s press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has stated that an Interior Ministry initiative concerning marijuana export from Georgia for medical and cosmetic purposes will be strongly regulated.
Part of the legislation on marijuana consumption, which concerns marijuana cultivation in Georgia and export for medical purposes, will be under tough regulations to avoid chaotic and illegal processes,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze stated that after the decision of the Georgian Constitutional Court concerning the legalisation of marijuana consumption, he tasked the Interior Ministry to draft a bill which would impose restrictions on marijuana consumption in certain areas.
We will discuss the draft law today at the governmental meeting and then it will be sent to parliament [for approval],” Bakhtadze said.
To prevent damage to public interests and safety, it is essential the draft law be discussed in a timely manner, for the law enforcers to have effective levers of control on marijuana consumption. The public and especially the young generation should be protected from the possible negative influences of marijuana,” Bakhtadze stated.
Bakhtadze said that the draft law strongly prohibits marijuana consumption in public areas, public transport, in the presence of minors, near and in educational institutions and at work places. Public servants, teachers, doctors and representatives of other professions will face sanctions if they are found to be under the influence of marijuana.
Individuals who will try to popularise marijuana consumption will be punished. Sanctions will become tougher for marijuana consumption advertising and popularisation,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze stated that drug dealing is another issue which will also be strongly punished by the criminal code.
Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated that the involvement of adults under 21 in marijuana consumption will be punished by the criminal code.
He said that in the case of administrative violation of marijuana consumption an individual will face civil restrictions. One of the restrictions will be the prohibition of carrying of firearms.
Gakharia vowed that his body would manage to carry out effective control on the marijuana cultivation process, which will be exported.
Georgian online media outlet Interpressnews has reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has drafted an initiative through which Georgia may export marijuana for medical and cosmetic purposes.
Georgia’s Constitutional Court has revealed a verdict today, saying that no one will be sent to prison for using marijuana.
The paved area in front of the Government Administration building turned into a party zone this afternoon as hundreds of Georgians gathered to protest the country's strict drug rules.
Georgia’s Health Minister is promising a major overhaul of the country’s drug laws after admitting current rules are too strict against users of marijuana and other soft drugs, and too lenient against prescription medicines.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze announced today that parliament is temporarily postponing discussions on an Interior Ministry-initiated bill on the export of marijuana, as the “public is being misled regarding the legal initiative.”
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze has stated today that parliament is suspending discussions on the marijuana cultivation bill and says that the bill may be withdrawn entirely if lawmakers perceive a threat of boosting illegal drug trafficking.
The Georgian parliament has postponed the discussion of the marijuana regulatory bill for two months, based on the decision of the parliament health committee.
Zurab Japaridze, the founder of the opposition party Girchi and the presidential candidate for the elections which are scheduled in one week, has been arrested at the cannabis legalization festival at Dedaena Park today.
The government of Georgia will withdraw its marijuana export bill from parliament, which would have allowed marijuana cultivation for the export of medical and cosmetic cannabis products.
Liberal political party Girchi has founded Shmaxi LTD and invited taxi drivers who have lost income due to the new taxi regulations to work for them.