After months of anticipation, the amendment that will establish a commercial cannabis market for adult use in the Czech Republic was finally presented to the Government.
MEDCAN24 has learnt that an amendment to a proposed self-cultivation bill, put forward in November, has been submitted, meaning that the government ‘will have to debate that bill through the lens of full regulation.’
This comes at a time when the efforts of the country to advance the most liberal marijuana reform in Europe are stuck in limbo. There is a long-awaited final bill proposal for adult use, ready to go, but with no politician to present it to the parliament.
As has been the case in Europe for the past few years, it is time to discuss and finalise regulations before the November elections.
Freedom from the limbo
Since May 2024, a bill which proposes the establishment of a comprehensive adult-use cannabis retail market, authored by the country’s former National Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, has been ready and ‘sitting outside the government’s office.’
However, the bill has been ‘stuck’ in political limbo, requiring either the Prime Minister or another leader of the coalition parties to raise it in parliament.
Despite widespread support for the proposals, the KDU-ČSL (Christian and Democratic Union People’s Party) has continued to fight the bill at every turn.
They were all in agreement on the legalisation and cultivation of up to 3 cannabis plants, as well as possession of small quantities of cannabis.
The government has approved in November a bill to amend the Criminal Code to allow the cultivation and possession of three cannabis plants at home, and up to 25g and 50g cannabis flowers outside.
While this bill is entirely separate from the one put forward by Vobořil proposing full legalisation, an amendment has now been submitted that would mean full legalisation will be debated in parliament.
A ‘significant step
Unexpectedly, a Pirate Party member who is a longtime supporter of reforming cannabis submitted the amendment.
It seems that despite the progress made, there is tension among the supporters of the legalisation legislation. In a Facebook post earlier this week, Vobořil took aim at the Pirate Party’s leader, Ivan Bartos, arguing that the party had failed to properly support him when he first prepared and put forward the legalisation bill.
He also criticized the submission of the amendment in a quiet manner, without addressing or involving the media.
MEDCAN24 The unexpected submission ended plans that were already in place to have it presented by a MP of Prime Minister ODS, a doctor who works at the government health office.
What lies behind this amendment?
This amendment was drafted by Rational Addiction Policy, a think-tank in collaboration with criminal law experts.
It argues that the criminal reform proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Pavel Blažek, will not lead to real decriminalisation unless further changes are made.
As such, the amendment focuses on ‘ensuring that the proclaimed goals of the Criminal Code amendment are achieved—to truly decriminalise the handling of cannabis for personal use, not just at a theoretical level.’
Of primary concern is the upper limit of 50g of dried flower for home cultivators, which the organisation highlights is far too low considering an experienced gardener can produce 100g – 500g from one plant, a debate that played out similarly in Germany.
Due to this ‘irregularity,’ Rational Regulation Association (RARE), which has played a key part in pushing legalisation forward in the Czech parliament, argued that this would actively undermine the bill’s aims, leaving the police with a tool ‘with which they can continue to persecute small growers for their own needs’.
MUDr. Pavel Kubů explained, “This means that the prosecution of acts without any social harm will continue, and considerable financial resources will continue to flow from taxpayers’ pockets for these repressive activities, which could be used more rationally.”
Tomas Ryska, director at Atrasana and RARE member, explains MEDCAN24 that it is ‘a significant step that the issue has been officially brought to parliament.’
Now, the bill will be debated in full regulatory terms. This debate has just begun. The debate will be centered on self-cultivation. However, there will also discussions regarding amendments to and improvements of the current legislation.
A date has not been set for the discussion of this amendment, although it was officially introduced.
Tensions on the rise
According to reports, as the upcoming election approaches, tensions are rising in the cannabis community. It is due not just to the unexpected submission of the amended bill, but also to its recent Psychomodulating Substances Bill (PML).
MEDCAN24 Reports last month stated that, starting July 2025 the sale CBD and Kraatom would be under regulation by the newly created PML.
Some people believe that CBD inclusion has caused controversy in the cannabis industry. They also claim this has distracted attention from the adult use cannabis regulations, which has led to our current situation.
Furthermore, with CBD sales now coming under new, stricter regulation, many are concerned this could ‘destroy’ the industry.
In one campaign, the text read: “Government Czech Republic!” Please don’t leave us with no choice! Do not support the destruction of CBD cannabis as proposed by Mravčík and the Pirate Party. This is not what we deserve! #LetUsBeTogether”.
However, as both Dr Ryska and the PML’s architect Vobořil point out, it is likely the CBD would be banned entirely in the country without this legislation or classified as a novel food (as seen in the UK) leading to a lengthy and expensive approval process.
The tensions that surround these two separate bills are said to be closely related.
After months of anticipation, the amendment establishing a commercial cannabis market for adult use in the Czech Republic was finally presented to the Government.
MEDCAN24 has learnt that an amendment to a proposed self-cultivation bill, put forward in November, has been submitted, meaning that the government ‘will have to debate that bill through the lens of full regulation.’
The country has been unable to move forward with its most liberal reform of cannabis in Europe for several months. A final version of the adult-use legislation is ready, but there are no politicians willing to debate it in parliament.
The race to finalise regulations and debate them before November’s elections is a theme that has become increasingly common in Europe during the past year.
Freedom from the limbo
Since May 2024, a bill which proposes the establishment of a comprehensive adult-use cannabis retail market, authored by the country’s former National Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, has been ready and ‘sitting outside the government’s office.’
However, the bill has been ‘stuck’ in political limbo, requiring either the Prime Minister or another leader of the coalition parties to raise it in parliament.
Despite widespread support for the proposals, the KDU-ČSL (Christian and Democratic Union People’s Party) has continued to fight the bill at every turn.
They were all in agreement on the legalization of personal cultivation, which allows up to three plants of cannabis to be grown. It also permits small quantities of cannabis to be used for personal purposes.
In November the Government approved a draft Bill that amends the Criminal Code. It allows the cultivation of 3 cannabis plants in the home as well as the possession up to 25g or 50g of marijuana flower.
While this bill is entirely separate from the one put forward by Vobořil proposing full legalisation, an amendment has now been submitted that would mean full legalisation will be debated in parliament.
A ‘significant step
Unexpectedly, a Pirate Party member who is a longtime supporter of reforming cannabis submitted the amendment.
It seems that despite the progress made, there is tension among the supporters of the legalisation legislation. In a Facebook post earlier this week, Vobořil took aim at the Pirate Party’s leader, Ivan Bartos, arguing that the party had failed to properly support him when he first prepared and put forward the legalisation bill.
Moreover, he was not happy that the change had been made in a quiet manner, without involving the media.
MEDCAN24 It is understood that this unexpected submission has undermined the plans to submit it by an ODS MP, who is a specialist medical doctor working in the health department of the Government.
What lies behind this amendment?
This amendment was developed by Rational Addiction Policy, a think-tank in collaboration with criminal law experts.
It argues that the criminal reform proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Pavel Blažek, will not lead to real decriminalisation unless further changes are made.
As such, the amendment focuses on ‘ensuring that the proclaimed goals of the Criminal Code amendment are achieved—to truly decriminalise the handling of cannabis for personal use, not just at a theoretical level.’
Of primary concern is the upper limit of 50g of dried flower for home cultivators, which the organisation highlights is far too low considering an experienced gardener can produce 100g – 500g from one plant, a debate that played out similarly in Germany.
Due to this ‘irregularity,’ Rational Regulation Association (RARE), which has played a key part in pushing legalisation forward in the Czech parliament, argued that this would actively undermine the bill’s aims, leaving the police with a tool ‘with which they can continue to persecute small growers for their own needs’.
MUDr. Pavel Kubů explained, “This means that the prosecution of acts without any social harm will continue, and considerable financial resources will continue to flow from taxpayers’ pockets for these repressive activities, which could be used more rationally.”
Tomas Ryska tells us what Dr Tomas Ryska – Director at Atrasana and RARE member – has to say. MEDCAN24 that it is ‘a significant step that the issue has been officially brought to parliament.’
Now, the bill will be debated in full regulatory terms. This debate has just begun. The debate will be centered on self-cultivation. However, there will also discussions regarding amendments to and improvements of the current legislation.
A date has not been set for the discussion of this amendment, although it was officially introduced.
Tensions on the rise
The cannabis community is reported to be growing more tense as the elections approach. It is due not just to the unexpected submission of the amended bill, but also to its recent Psychomodulating Substances Bill (PML).
MEDCAN24 Last month, it was reported that the new PML will regulate the sale of CBD, kratom and other CBD-based products starting in July 2025.
Some people believe that CBD inclusion has caused controversy in the cannabis industry. They also claim this has distracted attention from the adult use cannabis regulations, which has led to our current situation.
Furthermore, with CBD sales now coming under new, stricter regulation, many are concerned this could ‘destroy’ the industry.
In one campaign, the text read: “Government Of The Czech Republic!” Please don’t leave us with no choice! Do not support the destruction of CBD cannabis as proposed by Mravčík and the Pirate Party. This is not what we deserve! #LetUsBeTogether”.
However, as both Dr Ryska and the PML’s architect Vobořil point out, it is likely the CBD would be banned entirely in the country without this legislation or classified as a novel food (as seen in the UK) leading to a lengthy and expensive approval process.
The tensions that surround these two separate bills, it is said, are connected.
Cannabis Law Resources for Poland
Discover essential legal information about the cultivation of cannabis, its sale, and regulations governing medical products in Poland. These guides will help you understand the legal requirements, such as certifications, permits, and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland