site.btaPoliticians in Skopje React to Scandal with Serbia-Seized Marijuana from North Macedonia

The scandal over the seizure of 5 tonnes of marijuana in Serbia, believed to have originated in North Macedonia, has sparked numerous reactions in Skopje. The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation, and the police have carried out a large-scale operation in the capital and Strumica, the results of which have not yet been officially announced. In an interview with state television, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced that he expects the police to confiscate dozens of tonnes of marijuana, calling the situation a "serious case" for which he blamed the previous government of the SDSM and DUI. 

"This was, in fact, the economic policy of the SDSM and DUI government. Citizens will witness a very difficult and painful situation unfolding. What they will hear and see these days will be truly catastrophic, and all the creators of these policies must be held accountable for the many young people who, unfortunately, have fallen victim to these policies from the past," said Mickoski.

Political reactions from various parties were not far behind.

The opposition SDSM asked why there was still no answer to "how 5 tonnes of drugs crossed North Macedonia's border," "who will take responsibility for this cartel scandal and who in the government is involved," because "it is clear to everyone that without the support of structures in the government, the Ministry of Interior, and customs, it is impossible for 5 tonnes of drugs to be smuggled across the border."

In response to Mickoski's words, the SDSM described the police operation as "a media campaign with cannabis confiscations and attempts by the government to divert attention from the main issue." "This is a big farce, and if it is about legal cannabis, it could open up a new problem. What are the facts? The legal basis for the production of medical cannabis in [North] Macedonia was created by the VMRO-DPMNE and Nikola Gruevski with amendments to the law on February 9, 2016. The first license to grow medical cannabis in [North] Macedonia was issued in February 2017 during the VMRO-DPMNE era. Cannabis production began in May 2017. If legal quantities are confiscated solely because of their media campaign and sensationalism, the State may have to pay compensation. Therefore, this witch hunt against companies is a farce, and the same is happening in Serbia. The whole campaign is again being carried out according to [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic's recipe. Everything is copy-paste," the SDSM statement said.

According to information from the government, out of 61 licenses issued for the cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, there are actually 43 licensed companies operating in the country.

The smaller political parties have also come out with a position. 

The Left leader Dimitar Apasiev wrote on Facebook that the production of medical cannabis should not be banned; it should be nationalized.

The VMRO-DPMNE's coalition partner, the Democratic Union, requested that Parliament adopt amendments to the laws prohibiting the production of marijuana for medical purposes through an expedited procedure. "It is more than clear that control has failed, which is why there have been fake thefts, disputes between drug mafias, seizures of cannabis by the police, etc., but the criminal business continued because the drug mafia, which included holders of the highest state positions from the previous government, acquired enormous financial power and political influence," the Democratic Union said in a statement.

Another small party, Edinstvena Macedonia, also issued a statement: "Granting licenses to private companies for supposedly medical purposes was a clever cover for altruistic motives, when in fact it was an extremely lucrative business worth millions of euro. For example, today the companies of [former prime minister] Zoran Zaev are the largest drug producers in several regions of the country." The party is insisting on a change in legal regulation and that the State be the only entity in the legal trade, "which will grow and provide marijuana for the sick."