Romania Bans Sale, Distribution Of Hallucinogenic Plants

Sources close to the talks said failure to comply will be punished with jail time.

"The government's decision clearly sets that the manufacturing, extraction, preparation, sale, transport, purchase, growing and even consumption of banned plants and substances will be punished with jail time. This type of plants and substances will only be used for medical purposes and only competent bodies will be allowed to use small quantities of this type of plants and substances as sample," the sources said.

The government's decree will come into effect upon publication in the Official Journal.

Romanian deputies adopted Tuesday a draft law banning the distribution and sale of plants and plant extracts that have hallucinogenic effects.

The draft law initiated by a group of deputies bans the sale, distribution or delivery of such products and the infringement of the law is punished with jail time between six months and three years.

Romania's Government notified the European Union on this issue long ago and Prime Minister Emil Boc decided to pass an emergency decree as no answer came from the EU, according to secretary of state for the relation with the Parliament Valentin Iliescu.

Democrat liberal deputy Sever Voinescu recently said democrat liberals uphold the draft law banning the consumption and sale of hallucinogenic plants, adding they are waiting for the Government's decree.

Deputies adopted the draft law amending Law 143/2000 on preventing and fighting drug trafficking and consumption with 226 votes in favor, one against and three abstentions. The draft law was previously adopted in the Senate.

Last week, Boc called on the country's health minister to urgently complete a normative act banning the consumption of psychedelic plants, irrespective of the approval of the European Commission concerning the matter.

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