Honorable Supreme Judicial Council,
The question below was asked from Imam Khomeini, may his presence last long, due to difference of opinion of the judges of the Supreme Court and the answer is as follows:
Opium has benefits and legitimate consumption, but its transaction and any form of its transfer have been banned by the Islamic government, will the buyer and seller become owner of replacement and replaced? Does the prohibition by the Islamic government amount to banning the deal without making it illegal? Or does the prohibition make the deal illegal in which case seller is not the owner of the replaced and the ruler should act in accordance with the laws of" constipated by corrupt transaction" and reclaim its price on account of the owner being unknown?
Also, regarding smuggling of opium that has some legitimate benefits, at what stage the verdict" corruption in the land" is applicable?
Supreme Court of Islamic Revolution
28/11/1362 AHS]
In His Most Exalted Name
1- Government's ban should not be violated, but there is not a verdict in this case.
2- Corruption is applicable when distribution of addictive drugs afflicts many people, or is carried out with the intention or knowledge of doing so.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini