Lithuania - C00C - CHEMICALS
The aim is to establish the legal framework for activities involving chemical substances that are lawfully used in the chemical industry but may be abused because of their psychotropic effects for intoxication.
Draft Law amending Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 103, renumbering and amending Article 211 of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania No VIII-602 on the control of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and adding Article 61 and Section 41 to said Law
The aim of the draft law is to establish the legal framework for activities involving chemical substances that are lawfully used in the chemical industry but also abused and used for intoxication because of their psychotropic effects, as well as to establish the procedures and responsibilities for the application of interim restriction measures regarding new psychoactive substances. At present, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are only allowed for healthcare purposes. Such classification does not include cases where certain chemical substances with a psychotropic effect are lawfully used in fields the chemical industry that are not related to healthcare. Including said substances in the lists of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under the current regulation of the law would eliminate the possibility for them to be used in industry, which would be contrary to the principle of free movement of goods in the European Union and would hinder the development of business in Lithuania. On the other hand, these substances need to be controlled because of their health effects when they are abused. It is proposed that another criterion, i.e. the use of substances in the industry that is not related to pharmaceuticals, be added to the statutory framework for the classification of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The new regulation would allow the adoption of one more – the fourth list of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which would include substances that could be used for the purposes of industry not related to healthcare products and/or pharmaceuticals.