Georgian Parliament official says initiative of stricter drug policy will maximally support fight against drugs, encourage healthy lifestyle in country

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said the initiative of stricter drug policy would maximally support the fight against drugs, as well as encourage a healthy lifestyle in the country.

“The [Georgian] Prime Minister [Irakli Kobakhidze] has repeatedly stated, and he has the full support of the Parliament, that our main interest is to eliminate any shortcomings related to drug policy in the country, both at the policy and practice levels. This initiative will maximally support the fight against drugs, and conversely, maximally encourage a healthy lifestyle in Georgia”, Makhashvili said.

The Georgian Parliament will approve amendments to the Criminal Code On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Precursors and Narcological Assistance today.

The amendments aim to intensify and uncompromisingly combat drug addiction. According to the government’s initiative, private entities will be prohibited from implementing substitution therapy programs and the state will assume full responsibility for treatment.

Additionally, the import of psychotropic medications subject to special control will be the prerogative of the state alone. The amendments to the Criminal Code envisage stricter liability for criminal acts related to marijuana and the cannabis plant.