Czech Republic: Market and legal data of the cannabis sector

14th November 2024: Czech Republic: As announced by minister of justice Pavel Blažek, the government has approved a significant criminal law reform, media reports. Key changes include a partial relaxation of cannabis cultivation and possession laws. The proposed changes include allowing the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants, with the boundary between a misdemeanour and a criminal offence set at five plants. It would also be legal to store up to 25 g of dry cannabis at home and 50 g outside the home. The proposal also includes changes in penalties for drug offences. The opposition Pirates party, which was part of the government coalition until recently, has criticised the proposal, arguing it lacks provisions for harvesting, given that three plants can yield up to 300 g. The Pirates intend to propose in the House of Representatives increasing the legal possession limit to 900 g.
25th October 2024: Czech Republic: Last week, president Petr Pavel signed the proposal to regulate hemp extracts with HHC and with a THC content of up to 1%, among other psychoactive substances. The proposal would restrict sales, prohibit advertising, and introduce registration requirements for such substances. This law will take effect on the first day of the second calendar month following its publication.
10th October 2024: Czech Republic: The Senate has passed the proposal to regulate hemp extracts with HHC and with a THC content of up to 1%, among other psychoactive substances, media reports. The proposal would restrict sales, prohibit advertising, and introduce registration requirements for such substances. It will now need to be signed by the president.
25th September 2024: Czech Republic: The Ministry of Justice has sent the government a proposed amendment to the criminal legal framework that aims to partially legalise the cultivation of cannabis for personal use by adults over 21, media reports. The proposed changes include allowing the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants, with the boundary between a misdemeanour and a criminal offence set at five plants. It would also be legal to store up to 50 g of dry cannabis at home and 25 g outside the home. The proposal also includes changes in penalties for drug offences.
5th September 2024: Czech Republic: The Je to OK! campaign, created by experts led by former national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, seeks to promote the benefits of a regulated cannabis market, media reports. Among other things, the campaign focuses on safeguarding patients’ access to medical cannabis, decriminalisation, and protecting children.
4th September 2024: Czech Republic: According to Lukas Hurt, general manager of the Czech Hemp Cluster (CzecHemp), the Ministry of Health has stated that the European Commission does not have any concerns about the proposed regulation of psychomodulating substances. A bill to regulate psychomodulating substances, such as HHC and cannabis extracts with up to 1% THC, is pending in the parliament (awaiting the discussion in the Senate).
22nd August 2024: Czech Republic: The governing coalition is close to agreeing on specific wording of the cannabis legislation, and while there was initially a plan to open a regulated cannabis market, it seems that the current consensus is only on decriminalising self-cultivation and expanding access to cannabis for medical purposes, media reports. This means the original proposal could be scaled back.
21st August 2024: Czech Republic: The Czech government has received an open letter from 76 foreign experts from 27 countries calling on it to continue the implementation of outgoing national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil’s proposals and policies, media reports. These proposals focus on, among other things, a regulated cannabis market as well as on addiction prevention.
17th July 2024: Czech Republic: A leaked new governmental draft of the Cannabis Management Act seeks to establish a fully regulated commercial adult-use cannabis market, media reports. National drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, who spearheaded the cannabis regulation draft, has announced he will resign from his role in August, but he continues to contribute as an expert adviser in the meantime. The new draft aims to legalise the self-cultivation of cannabis for personal use, establish a licensing and tracking system, and set up cultivation associations along with a regulated commercial cannabis market. We assume the draft will next be circulated publicly.
24th May 2024: Czech Republic: In March, health inspectors in South Moravia conducted 225 inspections to check for banned addictive substances HHC, HHC-O, and tetrahydrocannabiforol (THCP) in different products, media reports. Over 30 objectionable items in 185 cases of e-cigarettes and herbal smoking products were found. No prohibited substances were found in the 40 inspections of cosmetic products. All the cases were handed over to the police.
21st May 2024: Czech Republic: The bill allowing for self-cultivation and the possibility of cannabis clubs will be discussed by the government coalition, media reports. As we alerted earlier, the first version of the governmental proposal on cannabis regulation, presented on 10th January, only seeks to regulate self-cultivation and the functioning of cannabis clubs. It does not include the introduction of a regulated cannabis market, which was initially expected. Any changes may occur during the next stages of negotiations and discussions.
6th May 2024: Czech Republic: The lower chamber of Parliament has passed the proposal to regulate hemp extracts with a THC content of up to 1% and HHC, among other psychoactive substances, media reports. The proposal would restrict sales, prohibit advertising, and introduce registration requirements for such substances. The bill is subject to approval by the European Commission and will need to be approved by the Senate.

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