GEORGIA-MARIJUANA RALLY Activists in Georgia rally to demand decriminalisation of marijuana

Record ID: 149968

  • Title: GEORGIA-MARIJUANA RALLY Activists in Georgia rally to demand decriminalisation of marijuana
  • Date: 3rd June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Georgian) DEMONSTRATOR, DEKA SHARASHIDZE, SAYING: "People shouldn't be detained because of marijuana, because it is not a crime and marijuana consumers are not aggressive, on the opposite, they are more creative and do more good things than drunk people. Their detention is a violation of human rights."
  • Embargoed: 18th June 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4BD1QB3VE8XPV0SY40SX7IECV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hundreds of people wearing T-shirts and bandanas with cannabis images gathered in front of Georgian government headquarters on Tuesday (June 2) to demand decriminalization of marijuana consumption.
    The protest, which was accompanied by dj's sets and resembled an open-air party, attracted some 1,5 thousand of Tbilisi dwellers. Some protesters danced and smoke, others held posters demanding abolishment of criminal punishment for weed consumption.
    Rally participant Ivane Kuravbebiani said he is concerned with violation of people's freedom by current drug-control legislation.
    "I'm worried because of lack of freedom in Georgia. Regarding this action - it is also a serious violation of freedom, when people are put in jail because of marijuana consumption or possession of a small amount of it. It is a real blow to one's freedom," he said, holding his little son wearing bandana with cannabis pictured on it.
    Consumption of marijuana, which grows in many regions of Georgia, was not considered a criminal offense until 2006, when administration of former president Mikheil Saakashvili launched anti-drugs campaign.
    In the period 2008-2013, over 190.000 Georgians were detained and forced to undergo drug tests. Only 34 percent tested positive according to the interior ministry. In 2015 Georgian police was granted the right to conduct medical drug test without a person's consent.
    A female demonstrator Anna Okina said these raids affected her friends and her personally.
    "I'm here because I'm protecting my personal rights, which are being violated in this country. My friends are being detained on streets and forced to undergo medical tests. I think that it is not we who break the law, but it is them, they are criminals," she said.
    Under current Georgian legislation, possession of small amount of marijuana is punishable by up to 500 lari ($220) or up to one year in jail. Selling of drugs is punishable by up to 11 years of jail.
    Deka Sharashidze, a rally participant, believes that such punishment is inappropriate.
    "People shouldn't be detained because of marijuana, because it is not a crime and marijuana consumers are not aggressive, on the opposite, they are more creative and do more good things than drunk people. Their detention is a violation of human rights," he said.
    Some parliament members also support marijuana liberalization.
    "I'm in favor of decriminalisation, but not legalisation of this process (marijuana smoking). On the basis of this, if somebody consumes it, he shouldn't be punished and sent to jail," said Zurab Abashidze, a member of the Free Democrats party.
    In May another opposition parliament deputy Goga Khachidze from the United National Movement proposed a law, cancelling criminal punishment for possession of marijuana and softening fine for its consumption to 100 lari ($43). Earlier this year Georgian parliament voted for softening punishment for drugs related crimes, except drugs distribution.
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