With the withdrawal of the draft-project about the cultivation of cannabis for pharmaceutical purposes from the parliament, the issue will be closed – Giorgi Gakharia, Minister of Internal Affairs stated after the meeting with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

According to Gakharia, the political context of the issue has always existed. “We made it clear from the beginning that reaching a consensus over the draft-project was important. However, at this current stage and under the background of the present political situation following the elections, reaching the consensus is impossible,” Gakharia stated and added that it was also the standpoint of Patriarch and the Georgian Patriarchate.

On the question, if the withdrawal of the draft-project meant that the issue would not be put forward again, Gakharia said: “Yes, it means that the issue is closed.”

Minister of Internal Affairs underlined that regulation of marijuana consumption was more important. “The law will be enforced soon based on which driving while being under influence of drugs will become a criminal offense. Regulation of consumption will protect juveniles and youngsters,” he said.

Gakharia and Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of Parliament met with Patriarch earlier this afternoon to discuss the issue of cultivation of cannabis in Georgia.