The main changes pertain to the differentiation of criminal liability for drug business organizers and distributors, including "stashers." Previously, a uniform punishment under Article 297 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan applied to all, but now lighter penalties are established for "stashers":
- Part 1 (distribution of drugs in small quantities) — 5 to 8 years of imprisonment (previously 5–10 years).
- Part 2 (distribution in large quantities) — 6 to 10 years of imprisonment (previously 6–12 years).
- Part 3 (distribution in especially large quantities) — 7 to 12 years of imprisonment (previously 10–15 years).
Thus, the law strengthens the accountability of drug business organizers while mitigating the punishment for "stashers," differentiating the degree of guilt based on the scale of the crime.