Is Weed Legal in Russia?
The Legal status of cannabis in Russia is a complex issue that has been discussed at length in the country in recent years. Much of the start-up capital for the Legal cannabis industry came from Russian billionaires like Roman Abramovich. After Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich was forced to flee to the UK and his business interests in Russia were seized.
The contrast between NJ and NY's approach to Legal cannabis sales could not be more stark. New Jersey has seen an explosion in the number of medical cannabis dispensaries, while New York has remained slow to open any Legal retail stores. Since Russia's blood-thirsty invasion of Ukraine, the world is understandably wary of the country's intentions.
But is there access to Legal weed in Russia? Notorious for its totalitarian regimes of the past, it probably doesn't come as a surprise to learn that marijuana is still illegal in the country. In Russia, possessing less than seven grams of marijuana (about a quarter of an ounce) is an administrative offense punishable by fines.
The story of Brittney Griner, a professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), illustrates the impact of US marijuana laws on individuals. Griner tested positive for marijuana in 2019 and was subsequently suspended for three games. And US leaders need to fix our cannabis laws. Excepting her status as a pro athlete, Griner would be subject to the disproportionately higher penalties for cannabis possession and use that other Americans face.
In Russia, marijuana is illegal for recreational and medical purposes. An Israeli-American woman was arrested at a Moscow airport in April 2019 after customs officers found nine grams of cannabis in her checked baggage. She was sentenced to a year in prison. Medical marijuana was first Legal at the end of 2018, but regulations are still unclear and there are limited options for patient access.
Russia and other countries in the region such as Iran, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan have some of the harshest penalties for cannabis, ranging from fines to jail time and even the death penalty in some cases. Medical marijuana is not Legal in Russia. The defense on Friday also submitted tests she underwent as part of an anti-doping check, which showed no trace of cannabis in her system.
For dubious Russians, the rule of law can properly be protected by allowing access to Legal cannabis. This would help at the earliest possible stage to weed out corruption and would go some way to restoring trust between the people and the authorities.
In conclusion, while there is some progress being made in Legal Medical marijuana in Russia, recreational marijuana remains illegal in the country and is subject to harsh punishments. It remains to be seen if the Russian government will move towards Legal in the future, but the possibility seems increasingly likely.
