Patriarchate: Marijuana Legalization Is Inadmissible
Georgia’s Patriarchate has released the protocol of the Holy Synod meeting, held on June 21, which reads that decriminalization of up to 70 grams of marijuana consumption, considered by the Constitutional Court of Georgia, should not be permitted.
“Consideration of a suit in the Constitutional Court on abolition of administrative penalty in case of possession of drugs, marijuana (cannabis) up to 70 grams literally means the legalization of the drugs…This step will create grounds for legalized cultivation of marijuana, which is inadmissible,” the statement reads.
The patriarchate underlined they never supported imprisonment of drug-addicts but added that already made decision on liberalization of some drugs serves as “a serious impulse to consumption and realization of drugs.”
“The permit for the cultivation of cannabis is literally legalization of drug trade, which will bring the country hardest results,” the Church claimed.
In its statement, the patriarchate included some recommendations for the government:
- Special rehabilitation centers should be created in the country timely, where people suffering from drug addiction will undergo rehabilitation.
- Active media-campaign is necessary to inform society about harm of drugs and promote healthy lifestyle
- Special courses should be introduced in educational institutions to raise awareness of the youth about drug-addiction and harm of the drugs
- Measures should be tightened regarding realization of drugs
- Using European experience, drug-addicts should be provided by jobs
By Thea Morrison
Related stories:
Georgian Constitutional Court Decriminalizes Marijuana Consumption