In July 2019, following the European Parliament`s 2019 resolution on the benefits of medical cannabis, several members of the Romanian Parliament presented a draft law on the legal framework for medical cannabis and medicinal substances and preparations containing cannabis. Portugal decriminalised drug use in 2001 and, contrary to the resistance at the time, drug-related deaths and drug-related use remained below European levels and the number of drug addicts decreased. Depending on the type of drug, the penalty for possession can be up to 3 years. Since 2014, penalties for drug-related offences in Romania have been linked to the type of drug, with heavier penalties for drug-related offences. The legislation also distinguishes between users and drug addicts, depending on the diagnosis. Amendments to the Criminal Code in 2014 reduced some penalties for credit offences. [1] THC is classified as a high-risk drug and is prohibited by law. Romanian law does not allow the sale or distribution of general cannabis products (e.g. oil, flour or dietary supplements) containing THC, regardless of their concentration. In January 2021, the Romanian Directorate for the Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism clarified that the maximum permitted THC content (0.2%) is determined in the cannabis plant (in the cultivation phase) and not in the finished product. Drug users also say that the National Drug Agency provides little help and that being labeled as an “addict” is always surrounded by significant social stigma. In this regard, the main characteristic of drug possession is that you possess drugs for personal use.
Therefore, sharing with others is not considered property, but human trafficking. But Mihaela said trying to rehabilitate someone in prison was not a good way to reintegrate them into society, and advocated drug testing centers as well as programs designed to help users. Mihaela, a young woman who has seen people risk their lives with drugs, pointed to the reluctance of the government and police to ask questions. All actions related to the production and sale of drugs are punishable by 2 to 7 years in prison or 5 to 12 years in prison, depending on the type of drug. Similarly, the import or exportation of drugs is punishable by 3 to 10 years or 7 to 15 years in prison. [1] Bărbulescu argued that “tougher penalties for consumption do not completely solve the problem, but try to keep the problem under control. Consumer protection programs as a whole are difficult to implement and you have no guarantee that it will stop using. In prison, there are programs for addicts where you see timely drug education programs. This was the case until recently, but with the introduction of the new penal code in February 2014, things have changed considerably. Hopefully, drug users can now get away with a fine or community service. While the law states that the penalty for drug possession for personal use ranges from 3 months to 2 years in prison or a fine, community service can replace or accompany the fine or jail time. The fine is not a simple civil sanction, but represents a criminal sanction and is therefore associated with a criminal record.
However, police often look the other way when it comes to minor drug use or even minor trafficking, such as a few marijuana cigarettes, a few cans of heroin or unknown substances in small plastic bags; Or they deal with users by imposing fines on them for civil offenses such as disturbing public order, which users gladly accept instead of harsher criminal penalties. As for charitable activities, they are generally carried out in the field of public sanitation, snow removal, park maintenance, assistance to the elderly or environmental protection. Work is limited to eight hours a day and can only be done during the weekday on weekdays. The old code also mentioned community service, but only as a paid option for inmates or when serving a sentence in the workplace. Article 64 of the Code reads as follows: While only a small number of Romanians admit to having used drugs in the past, more than half of the population considers drugs to be a major problem in the country. Among the most well-known types of drugs, cannabis is classified as a low-risk drug. Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin are classified as high-risk drugs in Romania. Possession of drugs for recreational purposes is not allowed in Romania, regardless of the type or quantity. Currently, CBD products (oils, soap, creams, balms, etc.) that do not contain THC are legal and over-the-counter in Romania.