Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) says that the recent announcement of the political union “Girchi” about the planned “festival” to celebrate the legalization of cannabis, is “crime-encouraging for citizens to participate in illegal activities and engage in an unlawful activity.”

MIA says that according to the national legislation of Georgia, possession, use, trade, distribution, production and promotion of narcotic drugs is illegal. Organizing of the trade of narcotic drugs is also an unlawful action and is punishable by the law.

“Based on the recent statements of “Girchi”, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has already launched an investigation under the 2nd and 8th Paragraphs of 2731 Article of the Criminal Code of Georgia on illegal possession, use, trade of marijuana or cannabis.

We would like to remind our society that the struggle against the distribution as well as encouragement of use of drug substances is one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

Accordingly, any illegal activities such as possession, use, trade, distribution, production and promotion of narcotic drugs be committed (including by the members of the political union or the presidential candidate) during the so-called ‘Festival’, police will implement corresponding measures against all offenders in compliance with the national legislation.

We call on the citizens, including the representatives of the Political Union “Girchi”, to end the encouragement of illegal activities, refrain from provocative statements and crime commitment. Otherwise, Police will apply all available measures prescribed by the legislation to prevent any offenses,” MIA said.