Georgia to increase penalties for cannabis possession and cultivation

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has introduced legislation to significantly toughen penalties for the possession, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis and marijuana. The bill passed its first reading in the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee on July 1.

According to the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Archil Gorduladze, the proposed changes would impose prison sentences of up to six years for the possession of 10 to 155 grams of cannabis plant, 10 to 140 grams of raw marijuana, or 5 to 70 grams of dried marijuana.

Possession of larger quantities — between 155 and 750 grams of cannabis, 140 to 500 grams of raw marijuana, or 70 to 250 grams of dried marijuana — would carry a prison sentence of 5 to 8 years. Manufacturing or transporting these amounts could result in 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

The legislation also introduces harsher penalties for cannabis cultivation. Growing up to 155 grams of cannabis may now lead to up to 6 years in prison, although alternative penalties such as community service or house arrest are also included.

Previously, cultivation of a small quantity was subject to a 500 GEL fine. Under the proposed changes, fines could range from 500 to 5,000 GEL, and administrative detention may be extended from the current 15 days to a maximum of 60 days.

The draft law also proposes amending Article 260 of the Criminal Code to equate marijuana and cannabis with other narcotic substances under Georgian legislation, which could lead to further legal consequences.