Greek Drug Law Reform

"The most important developments in the drugs legislation were introduced in 2011.
"New bill of law on drugs
"Amending the drug code of laws 3459/2006. The bill has two axes, one being the non-criminal treatment of users, and two foreseeing a new coordinating scheme.
"The law expressly provides that the offender’s diagnosed drug dependence is grounds for lifting or reducing criminal liability and shall result in acquittal or reduced sanctions.
"With regard to the users’ criminal treatment, it provides as follows:
"• Full decriminalisation of possession and supply of drugs for personal use. Cannabis cultivation for personal use is defined as a minor offence.
"• More lenient criminal treatment of the supply of small quantities (misdemeanour), and the supply of drugs to close friends/relatives.
"• Increased penalties for offences committed by professionals (medical practitioners, pharmacists, civil servants) in certain settings (schools, army, prisons) or involving minors.
"• Express prohibition of more lenient sentencing for dependent suppliers of large quantities of drugs, for whom the strictest penalty is envisaged (life sentence) or a prison sentence between 10 and 20 years and a € 600,000 fine. The supply of large quantities is determined by the financial yield, with a threshold of € 50,000."