We wrote about the idea to legalise cannabis in the Czech Republic some time ago. The government approved a plan to fight addictions by the end of 2025. For now we can expect a highly regulated cannabis. Group of experts will prepare the exact rules.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala presented this plan at a press conference after the government’s meeting. National drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil has already said that the document in preparation has five priorities. In addition to prevention and treatment, tax adjustments and the introduction of a controlled cannabis market, these should also include promoting progress in the EU and mitigating the effects of migration.
The action plan provides for the preparation of proposals for a strictly regulated cannabis market in the Czech Republic. What it is supposed to look like, what we will come to, is the subject of the work of the expert group, said the Prime Minister. According to him, the plan represents a balanced approach to drug policy and corresponds to international experience. The actions are aimed at preventing threats and limiting the availability of addictive substances for children and youth under 18, the Prime Minister noted.
What do we know so far?
As part of market regulation, Czechia does not want to limit the number of licenses for sale and cultivation. Licenses will be issued on the basis of an application and payment of a regular annual fee. Growing hemp in larger areas can cost up to hundreds of thousands of crowns a year. Pharmacies will be exempt from fees. This way they assume that they can collect up to half a billion crowns annually on license fees.
Moreover, the government is working on the ban of the advertising of hemp products within the market. Each of them will have a uniform packaging, without advertisements and pictures, only a description and a warning about the risks.
Interestingly, under the current draft, a person would have to register with a special user register. The customer would only be able to buy a limited amount per month to prevent him from starting to trade the commodity himself. Merchants would have access to the register through a special code and could control the quantity already purchased.
According to what we know so far, if the plan to legalise cannabis in Czech Republic succeeds, each person will be able to purchase up to five grams of cannabis per day. We can also expect a limit to the maximum amount of THC in the plant. It should be between 18 and 20 percent.
Benefits of legalising cannabis in Czech Republic
In the event that the introduction of a controlled hemp market in the coalition of five succeeds, a hemp market of up to one hundred and fifty tons per year would create itself in the Czech Republic.
First conclusion is that the country would earn billions of crowns. Even with above limitations. According to Jindřich Vobořil, these changes are to be presented to all coalition partners by the end of April. If politicians agree, then specialists will begin to shape specific paragraphs.