Lativian policy on drugs

Criminal offences related to illegal circulation of psychoactive substances and precursors that are newly registered as narcotic, psychotropic, and psychotropic substances in Latvia.  Unauthorised manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation and forwarding of narcotic and psychotropic substances for the purpose of disposal and unauthorised disposal. Unauthorised sale of narcotic or psychotropic substances in small amounts.  Unauthorised manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation and forwarding of narcotic and psychotropic substances without the purpose of disposal.  Unauthorised acquisition or storage in small amounts of narcotic or psychotropic substances without the purpose of disposal or committing unauthorised use of narcotic or psychotropic substances, if it has been committed by a person who has been warned regarding criminal liability for unauthorised acquisition, storage and use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.  Bringing in of goods or other valuables into the customs territory of the Republic of Latvia or taking out thereof, by avoiding customs control or concealing such goods or other valuables from such control, or not declaring such goods or other valuables, or using false customs or other documents, or in any other illegal way (smuggling), if it is committed on a significant scale.  Violation of provisions regarding the production, acquisition, storage, registration, dispensation, transportation and Forwarding of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances.  Unauthorised dispensation of narcotic and psychotropic substances.  Manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, forwarding and disposal of equipment and substances (precursors) intended for unauthorised manufacture of narcotic and psychotropic substances.  Encouraging to use narcotic, psychotropic and new psychoactive substances.  Administering of narcotic, psychotropic substances and new psychoactive substances against a person’s will.  Unauthorised sowing and growing of plants containing narcotic substances.  Unauthorised manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation and forwarding for the purpose of disposal of new psychoactive substances and sale.  Unauthorised manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, forwarding of new psychoactive substances and unauthorised use of new psychoactive substances. In Latvia, unauthorised use, acquisition and storage of small amounts of illicit drugs are administrative offences punishable by a warning or a fine of up to EUR 280. Possession of larger amounts for personal use (precisely defined in the law ‘On the procedures for the coming into force and application of the criminal law’) can lead to a criminal penalty of up to three years in prison. Repeated unauthorised use, preparation, acquisition or possession of small amounts of illicit drugs within 12 months of a previous offence is a criminal offence, and is punishable by a short term of imprisonment of between 15 days and three months, or community service or a fine. The court is able to impose treatment with a suspended sentence, or to release a drug user from criminal or administrative liability if the user has agreed to undergo treatment; however, no underlying control mechanism has been established. Traffickers of any quantity may be sentenced to 2-8 years’ imprisonment, increasing to 3-10 years if the offender is part of a group, or 5-15 years if a large amount of illicit drugs was trafficked or an