Problems in Defining Offences Related to Illicit Trafficking in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

The criminal legislation governing liability for the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has undergone significant changes in the past few years. The practice of its application has also changed, including the position of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. The article attempts to analyze these changes in both legislation and judicial practice. The article proves that attempts to intensify the fight against drug crime and drug addiction by increasing criminal liability for crimes related to the circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances have led to the opposite results. Changes in the article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation did not toughen such responsibility. It resulted in its unjustified and incomprehensible modification, which testifies to a weakening of responsibility for such crimes. The author concludes that the attempts of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to eliminate the defects of the criminal legislation cannot be recognized as effective and productive, since in some cases, they contradict the foundations of the theory of criminal law.