Czech Republic relaxes regulations on medical cannabis

Since January 1, 2022, Czech doctors have been able to prescribe medical cannabis via e-prescription rather than only on a secure physical prescription, up to a maximum of 180 grams per month.

From January to November 2021, over 99 kg of medical cannabis were prescribed in the Czech Republic to some 4,370 patients, a hundred times more than in 2015, This was the year in which the use of medical cannabis was introduced for some 30 patients. At present, some 200 doctors are authorized to prescribe medical cannabis in the Czech Republic.

Under the new laws, private companies will also be able to cultivate cannabis under the same conditions as any other medical substance. The Czech Ministry of Health expects this change to intensify competition and drive down the price of medical preparations containing cannabis, 90 % covered by public health insurance.

Until now, the National Institute for the Control of Medicines (SÚKL), which manages the National Agency for Medical Cannabis, purchased a certain volume of cannabis from a supplier selected on the basis of a public procurement procedure.

Changes for hemp too. The new law now defines industrial hemp as containing up to 1 % of THC. The Chamber of Deputies has adopted this provision despite the negative position of the Senate and the Minister of Health. Cannabis extracts or tinctures containing less than 1 % of THC will also not be considered as narcotic substances, and may be freely marketed.

In January 2021, Czech lawmakers rejected a proposal to legalize cannabis production and consumption for adults, an issue that is regularly debated and continues, as in other European countries, to divide public opinion.