According to the proposed amendments to the Contravention Code, fines for illegal sowing, cultivation or processing of such plants without the purpose of sale are provided: from 200 to 400 conventional units for individuals, up to 500 cu.u. for officials and up to 1200 cu.u. for legal entities. Earlier sanctions were much milder: from 42 to 60 conventional units for individuals, from 180 to 300 conventional units for officials and from 300 to 600 conventional units for legal entities.
Liability for failure to take measures to ensure protection of crops containing drugs, precursors and their analogs has been toughened. Now fines of up to 300 USD for individuals, up to 500 USD for officials and up to 1200 USD for legal entities are stipulated. Previously, the penalties ranged from 90 to 210 cu.u. for officials and 300 to 600 cu.u. for legal entities, and for individuals there was no liability at all.
A draft law developed by the Ministry of the Interior provides for stiffer penalties for illegal use. The fine is more than doubled to 140 conventional units or 60 hours of community service. Illegal possession or purchase in small amounts without the purpose of sale is now punishable by fines of up to 300 U.S. dollars for individuals and up to 1,000 U.S. dollars for legal entities.
At the same time, the law retains the incentive provision – a person is exempted from liability if he or she voluntarily surrenders drugs or seeks medical assistance.
Penaltiesfor involvement of minors
Separate liability for the situation in schools is introduced: for failure to take measures to suppress drug use – a fine of up to 300 USD and ban on activity; for deliberate concealment of the facts of use – a fine of up to 400 USD for legal entities. Previously, there were no such offenses in the Code. Liability for admitting minors to intoxication is also increased: fines up to 500 USD, possible community service or arrest.
After the adoption of the law, the new rules will come into force on August 28, 2026.
