Victoria Stoiciu proposes decriminalizing drug possession for personal use and punishing the offense only with a fine

Senator Victoria Stoiciu has submitted to the Senate a bill that removes drug possession for personal use from the scope of criminal law and makes it a misdemeanor. If adopted, the initiative would provide for fines ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 lei. Drug trafficking would remain a criminal offense, with the same penalties, and all substances would continue to be illegal.

The bill is supported by Senators Cristian Ghinea of USR and Daniel Fenechiu of PNL. According to the explanatory memorandum, approximately 80% of people criminally investigated in drug cases are simple users, while drug-related cases account for 77.51% of DIICOT’s activity.

The cited data show that, between 2016 and 2025, final convictions for possession for personal use increased from 78 to 520, while convictions for trafficking rose from 672 to 873. In 2024, the state reportedly allocated approximately 51 times more money to policing than to prevention and assistance programs.

Victoria Stoiciu argues that the measure does not mean legalization, but rather shifting the focus from punishment to public health and combating traffickers. The initiative cites international recommendations and models applied in more than 50 jurisdictions.