Azerbaijan lifts criminal liability for using drugs in small quantities

Azerbaijan abolishes criminal liability for using drugs in small quantities without the purpose of sale.

This issue is included in the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses that were discussed on April 26 in the third reading in the country’s Parliament, Report informs.

The cases that would result in penalization for the illegal preparation, acquisition, storage, transportation or distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances without the purpose of sale, as well as those causing imprisonment, are being redetermined.

According to the proposed amendments, the acquisition of large quantities of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances; their storage, preparation, processing and transportation will lead to a restriction of freedom from 1 to 3 years or imprisonment for up to 3 years. The large-scale conduction of the same acts will trigger sentencing for 3-8 years, while 8-15 years on specifically large volumes.

Administrative liability is reportedly set up for the illegal use, preparation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances in small quantities without the purpose of sale.

The members of the parliament voted for the amendments, adopting it in the third reading.