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high technology areas, and to develop a green economy. Meanwhile, the government will work with the central bank on capital market reforms.
Energy is another area of concern in Georgia, and Bakhtadze pointed to the potential need to boost capacity, but also to reduce losses, stressing that the country is “still one of the most inefficient countries in terms of energy consumption”.
“It is very important to increase the speed in developing the installed capacity of the energy sector,” he told MPs. “We need to understand that this needs to precede the economic growth rate, as otherwise energy may become a significant obstacle to the development of the economy.” No specific energy investments were mentioned though.
Finally, Bakhtadze talked of his personal priority, a “fundamental reform of the education system, innovations and youth”. “It is impossible to think about a long-term development of the country if we fail to shape a competitive education system,” he said.
2.3 Georgia first former Soviet republic to legalise usage of marijuana
Georgia's Constitutional Court has abolished administrative punishments for the consumption of marijuana, making the South Caucasus country the first former Soviet Republic to legalise the usage of the drug, RFE/RL reported on July 30.
The ruling by four senior court judges concerns only the consumption of cannabis, while cultivation and selling remain a crime, the court said in its ruling. It added that punishing a person for consuming cannabis would comply with the constitution only if consumption put a third party at risk.
"According to the applicants [Zurab Japaridze and Vakhtang Megrelishvili], the consumption of marijuana is not an act of social threat. In particular, it can only harm the user's health, making that user him/herself responsible for the outcome. The responsibility for such actions does not cause dangerous consequences for the public," the court said.
"The Constitutional Court highlights the imposition of responsibility of marijuana consumption when it creates a threat to third parties. For instance, the court will justify responsibility when marijuana is consumed in educational institutions, public places, such as on public transport, and in the presence of children,” it added.
The ruling was prompted by a lawsuit filed by activists of the opposition Girchi party. "It can only harm the health of the consumer, who is responsible for the results of the action," the lawsuit read. Japaridze told reporters the ruling was a victory for a freer Georgia. "This wasn't a fight for cannabis, this was a fight for freedom," he said.
In late November, the Constitutional Court decriminalised use of marijuana or other forms of cannabis-based drugs, but preserved administrative punishment, such as a fine, for marijuana use. Before that, Georgia's Criminal Code defined repetitive use of marijuana and possession of more than 70
8 GEORGIA Country Report August 2018 www.intellinews.com