Russia
Europe
#106 of 196 worldwide
#40 of 45 in Europe
Up to 6 g is an administrative offence (fine or 15 days' detention); anything above is criminal with long sentences. 'Drug propaganda' is also penalised.
Score breakdown ▏world average
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Possession · 25%2/10adds 5.0 of 25 points
Up to 6 g of cannabis (2 g of hashish) is an administrative offence under Article 6.8 of the Code of Administrative Offences: a fine of 4,000–5,000 roubles or up to 15 days' detention. Above 6 g it is a crime under Article 228 of the Criminal Code — up to three years for a 'significant amount' (6–100 g) and three to ten years above 100 g. Foreigners are deported even for the administrative offence.
Personal cultivation · 25%1/10adds 2.5 of 25 points
Growing up to 20 cannabis plants is an administrative offence with a fine or short detention; 20 or more is a crime.
Punishment & enforcement · 20%1/10adds 2.0 of 20 points
Article 228 is known as the 'people's article' because so many prisoners are held under it. The low thresholds, planted-evidence scandals and long sentences for anything resembling supply make this far harsher than the 6 g rule suggests.
Sharing & gifting · 10%0/10adds 0.0 of 10 points
Any transfer is 'sale' under Article 228.1, starting at four to eight years.
Consumption · 10%1/10adds 1.0 of 10 points
Using without a prescription is a separate administrative offence, provable by a drug test, with a fine or up to 15 days and possible compulsory treatment.
Legal access · 10%0/10adds 0.0 of 10 points
No legal source.
More context not part of the score
Industrial hemp with minimal THC is grown under licence. No other production.
No medical cannabis; cannabis is on the list of substances banned from medical use.
Users can be placed on a narcological register, which blocks driving licences and some jobs. 'Propaganda' of drugs, including online, is also penalised.
All sources
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