Georgia may abolish prison as punishment for growing marijuana

In Georgia, it may soon be legal to grow up to 19 kilograms of marijuana.  The Constitutional Court of the country received a suit from the political movement Girchi demanding to abolish the criminal punishment for the cultivation of marijuana.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Avtandil Metreveli, who faces imprisonment precisely for the cultivation of the plant. Girchi considers such punishment unconstitutional and inhumane.

In the suit, Girchi emphasizes that although it is possible to legally use marijuana, it is impossible to obtain it legally; consequently, people cannot exercise their constitutional right (to use marijuana) so as not to violate the law and not commit offenses.

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According to the legislation of Georgia, “the cultivation and growing of narcotic substance“ marijuana ” of up to 166 grams cannot be punished with imprisonment”.

Girchi’s lawsuit lawsuit demands this amount be increased to 19,000 grams.

However, in any case, this does not mean that a person who has grown 19 kilograms of marijuana will be completely free from responsibility.  If Girchi’s suit goes through, a cultivator of up to 19 kilograms of marijuana can not be imprisoned but can received the status of “convicted” without being put  in prison.