As Kommersant reports, until November 2022, courts have deprived drivers of their “rights” in identifying traces of non-narcotic and non-psychotropic drugs, but the Constitutional Court has halted this practice, because the Code of Administrative Offenses simply does not contain a provision that makes it possible to punish motorists for taking medicines. In June 2023, the government introduced clarifying changes to the Administrative Code, but these have not yet been considered by the State Duma.

The legislation will include a separate list of non-narcotic drugs that worsen the reaction – this includes anesthetics, antiepileptics, hypnotics and sedatives. After the passage of the law and the list, the practice of punishing drivers for drug use will return. It is not yet known when this will happen, but motorists have already taken advantage of the temporary ban to regain the “rights” they have lost due to drug use.

In all cases, the drivers successfully appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned the original verdict and sent it back for a new trial, citing the position of the Constitutional Court – until changes are made to the Administrative Code Violations, drivers cannot be deprived of their ‘rights’ to take medications.

As Kommersant reports, until November 2022, courts have deprived drivers of their “rights” in identifying traces of non-narcotic and non-psychotropic drugs, but the Constitutional Court has halted this practice, because the Code of Administrative Offenses simply does not contain a provision that makes it possible to punish motorists for taking medicines. In June 2023, the government introduced clarifying changes to the Administrative Code, but these have not yet been considered by the State Duma.

The legislation will include a separate list of non-narcotic drugs that worsen the reaction – this includes anesthetics, antiepileptics, hypnotics and sedatives. After the passage of the law and the list, the practice of punishing drivers for drug use will return. It is not yet known when this will happen, but motorists have already taken advantage of the temporary ban to regain the “rights” they have lost due to drug use.

In all cases, the drivers successfully appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned the original verdict and sent it back for a new trial, citing the position of the Constitutional Court – until changes are made to the Administrative Code Violations, drivers cannot be deprived of their ‘rights’ to take medications.