MOSCOW, July 23 (RAPSI) – The lower house of Russian parliament adopted a bill fixing punishment of up to 3 years in prison for violating rules of drug-containing plants cultivation in a final third reading on Tuesday, according to a statement published on the State Duma website.

Amendments will be introduced in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The draft law was initiated by the government.

Thus, fines of up to 120,000 rubles (around $2,000), community service for up to 360 hours with a possible ban to hold certain posts for up to 3 years would be set for failure to comply with the rules of cultivation of drug crops used in medicine and veterinary.

These crimes committed for mercenary motives or resulted in grave consequences including harm to health would be punishable by prison terms of up to 3 years.