Czech Republic calls for legalization of cannabis in Europe

European anti-drug coordinators met last week in Prague. On that occasion, the Czech representative called for a «collective effort» by the 27 member states to regulate the medical and recreational cannabis markets.

«We hope this will be a coordinated effort [to regulate the cannabis market]. It’s impossible not to discuss this at the European Union level. Prohibition has not proven effective enough; we must seek other models of regulation. A A regulated market may be the only solution «possible," said Jindřich Vobořil, the Czech national coordinator for drug control.

He also announced his intention to strictly regulate the Czech cannabis market. While recreational cannabis is not permitted in the Czech Republic, possession and home cultivation have been decriminalized since 2010, but are still punishable as a civil offense in cases of public use.

Vobořil is currently drafting a bill to legalize cannabis in the Czech Republic, which he plans to submit by the end of the year. »I’m glad we’re not alone in the EU,« said Mr. Vobořil.

In particular, he outlined the plans of the’Germany, from Luxembourg and Netherlands that are currently working on legal regulations for cannabis. In contrast, some countries, such as France and Sweden, oppose any regulation.

Leading experts on drug policy attended the event held in Prague. According to Michel Kazatchkine of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the EU should remove cannabis from the list of prohibited substances.

«We’ve been trying to do this for more than ten years. There are many legal complications. But I believe there will be a shift in understanding in Europe and around the world, and that a regulated cannabis market will be established,» said Mr. Kazatchkine, as quoted by the Czech news agency.

He added that, thanks to the Czech EU presidency, the debate on the regulated market has also reached a «political level.»