Czech president backs cannabis legalization

The Czech president recently expressed his support for the legalization of cannabis in the country and amnesty for people currently incarcerated for cannabis-related offences.

In an hour-long interview as part of the Meltingpot discussion forum on the bangs of the festival Colours of Ostrava, President Pavel drew on studies showing that cannabis is less harmful than other legal drugs. He called for regulated legalization, and raised the question of amnesty for those currently imprisoned for cannabis-related offences in the event of such legalization.

«Cannabis, according to a number of studies, is less harmful than other legal drugs,» Pavel pointed out at the discussion forum.

«The considerations in favor of regulated legalization are appropriate. If they were, it wouldn't make sense for these people [convicted of cannabis offenses] to remain in prison. It would be appropriate to grant them amnesty».

Mr. Pavel also insisted on the need to rethink the use of presidential clemency powers, which had previously been delegated to the Ministry of Justice by his predecessor, Miloš Zeman.

Pavel intends to take over the entire power of clemency, including the responsibilities and personnel assigned to the clemency process, and has already begun discussions with the Minister of Justice, Pavel Blažek, on this subject. The President intends to use it primarily to remedy miscarriages of justice, disproportionate sentences and cases involving important humanitarian considerations.