Czech It Out: Cannabis Legalization Trend Continues in Europe

Home | Canna Law Blog | Czech It Out: Cannabis Legalization Trend Continues in Europe Czechia, officially known as the Czech Republic, may soon the join the growing list of European countries with legal adult-use cannabis. Czech National Anti-Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil is drafting the requisite legislation, which could be in place by 2024. As to what the new law might look like: The new measures should establish the level of narcotic substances that legal marijuana products can contain. Marijuana growers would need a license and the law would clearly specify who they could deliver their product to. Some shop owners could also receive a license, Mr. Vobořil said. The amount of marijuana that people could purchase would be limited and buyers could be required to register with the state, he said. The possession and cultivation of cannabis, under certain thresholds, was decriminalized in the Czech Republic in 2010. Medical use was legalized in 2013, but only for the treatment of certain ailments, and with THC and CBD levels capped at 19% and 7.5%, respectively. Home cultivation for personal use is allowed, though THC levels are capped at 1%. Much of the impetus for Czech adult-use cannabis legalization is coming from the Pirate Party, a member of the Czech Republic's governing coalition. Back in 2020, the party introduced a bill that would have legalized adult-use cannabis. That initiative failed, but as part of the Czech executive the Pirates now have an unbetterable platform from which to push for cannabis reform. Notably, the Pirate Party holds only four of the 200 seats in the Czech Chamber of Deputies. Yet the demands of parliamentary coalition-building propelled it to a place in the Czech government in 2021. It is worth noting that the Pirates have not only advocated for cannabis legalization, but also the legal medical use of certain psychedelics. Their tenure in government promises to be an interesting one not just for cannabis observers. And looking beyond Czechia, the Pirates' success may provide inspiration to small pro-cannabis political forces in other countries, at least those with parliamentary systems. Finally, it is worth highlighting the impact of neighboring Germany's own reforms on what the Czechs are doing. Announcing the new legislation, the anti-drug coordinator, Mr. Vobořil, made it clear that the wants Czech companies to get a slice of the vast German pie. Could we soon see other countries in the region updating their legislation to take advantage of cannabis opportunities in Europe's largest economy? Check Out Our Cannabis Law Services Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn E-mail Comment Fred Rocafort Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog. Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America. In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions. Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s. 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