Parliament Speaker: New Drug Policy to Be Adopted Late June

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker, Irakli Kobakhidze, thinks that the new drug policy will likely be adopted by late June.

He explained there are different positions regarding the drug policy within the ruling Georgian Dream party, but added an agreement can be reached.

“Even though there are different positions in the ruling party, we also have the resources to achieve an agreement. We want to draft a bill and submit it in the next two weeks, which will be a precondition for adopting a law by the end of June,” he said, adding the main aim of the draft is to reduce drug consumption in the country and adoption of a more humane policy.

According to Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the final draft law on drug policy will include significant liberalization and a more humane attitude on the one hand and a very strong approach towards drug dealers on the other. 

“We will have more a humane attitude towards drug-addicts and consumers, including medical services and psycho-rehabilitation centers, but we will also have a very strict approach towards drug dealers," the PM said. 

By Thea Morrison