Romanian senators propose administrative fines for personal drug possession

Romanian senator Victoria Stoiciu proposed replacing criminal punishment for personal drug possession with administrative fines of 1,000–3,000 lei.^[1] The October 2026 debate concerned moving personal possession outside the criminal courts while retaining drug prohibitions and criminal trafficking penalties.^[1] Her announcement named Cristian Ghinea and Daniel Fenechiu as supporters.^[1]

The proposal challenged enforcement priorities

Stoiciu argued that Romania’s drug enforcement had expanded against users faster than against traffickers.^[1] Her press release cited an increase in final convictions for personal possession from 78 in 2016 to 520 in 2025, compared with 672 to 873 for trafficking.^[1] Those figures were presented as the sponsors’ rationale for the bill.^[1]

The announcement called for resources to move towards prevention, treatment and the investigation of organised trafficking.^[1] Its proposed fines were administrative penalties for possession, while trafficking would keep its existing criminal sentences.^[1] Adopting that distinction would change the legal consequences for people holding drugs for themselves.^[1]

Prosecutors opposed reducing the penalties

On 9 October, Prosecutor General Cristina Chiriac issued an unfavourable position.^[2] Her office argued that reducing criminal sanctions without impact studies and functioning alternative systems could weaken drug prevention and enforcement.^[2]

The objection invoked public health and the protection of vulnerable people, particularly children and young people.^[2] Prosecutors argued that the social consequences of drug use extended to families and communities, giving the state a reason to maintain effective deterrence.^[2]

The political support also changed

By 16 October, Adevărul reported that Daniel Fenechiu had withdrawn as an initiator amid controversy, including within his own party.^[3] The newspaper also announced a public discussion involving Stoiciu, criminologist Vlad Zaha, social worker Alina Dumitriu and questions from the Edupart parents’ federation.^[3]

Existing possession offences remained in force

The proposal entered a system whose distinction between personal possession and trafficking had been upheld by the Constitutional Court in 2025.^[4] The court explained that personal consumption was the purpose defining the lower-penalty possession offence, while prosecutors had to prove an allegation of trafficking.^[4]

It also stated that drug use itself was not a separate criminal offence, although unauthorised possession remained punishable regardless of quantity.^[4] The Romania profile describes those operative rules; the October proposal sought to change them through legislation.^[4]