In the Czech Republic, cannabis is not legal for recreational use, but personal possession has been decriminalized since 1 January 2010 and medical cannabis has been legal since 1 April 2013.[1][2]
Decriminalization
editPossession of more than 15 grams (½ oz) of dry cannabis for personal use,[3][4] or cultivation of more than five plants, is classed as a civil offence. However since 1 January 2010,[5][6][7][8] possession of less than 15g (½ oz) and less than 5 plants is an infraction. On conviction, a fine of up to 15,000CZK can be imposed, but fines are typically much lower.[5] Cannabis is easy to obtain at concerts and in bars.[citation needed] However, cannabis remains illegal, and possession of larger amounts can lead to a jail sentence of one year.[5] Trafficking is a criminal offence, with the minimum penalty set at two years imprisonment and maximum penalty set at 18 years imprisonment, though sentences of 10–18 years are only imposed in extreme cases. A suspended sentence or other alternative punishment is usually imposed in the case of minor trafficking that does not generate a significant income.
Medical cannabis
editA bill allowing cannabis to be legally available on prescription in pharmacies as a medicine was passed by the Czech Chamber of Deputies on 7 December 2012,[9] with 126 votes for legalisation and 7 against (27 abstained and 46 were absent from the vote).[10] The Czech Senate passed the bill on 30 January 2013. From the total of 81 senators 67 voted for legalisation and 2 voted against (5 senators abstained and 7 were absent from the vote).[11] The bill also stipulated that only imported cannabis would be allowed for sale in the first year "to ensure standards." After that, sales may expand to include registered, domestic production that is strictly monitored.[12]
The law came into effect on 1 April 2013 and since then medical use of cannabis has been legal and regulated in the Czech Republic.[13] The law allows for 180 g (6 oz) of dry matter per month, as prescribed by specialized physicians, and can be obtained using an electronic prescription form.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Zdravotnictví prochází změnou. Léčba konopím je nyní legální". lidovky.cz. Retrieved 17 April 2013..
- ^ Radio Prague – News – 01-04-2013 21:30 Archived 2013-11-06 at the Wayback Machine. Radio.cz. Retrieved on 2013-04-17.
- ^ http://www.prevence-praha.cz/attachments/article/123/Priloha%20stanoviska%20NS_tabulka.pdf [dead link]
- ^ "Marijuana Laws in Prague | Czech Smokers | Prices, Places". 9 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Czech Republic Marijuana Information". Kush Tourism. Kush Tourism LLC. 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
If you have more than 15 grams of cannabis or are growing more than five plants, the maximum penalty is a custodial sentence of one year. However, simple possession charges rarely receive the maximum charge.
- ^ Hughes, Brendan (March 2010). "New Czech penal code enters into force". Drugnet Europe. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
the new penal code criminalises the cultivation or possession of an illicit drug for personal use when the quantity is 'greater than small'. However, the new code now establishes quantity limits via a binding governmental decree (No 467/2009 Coll.) (2). For example, it stipulates that a crime is committed on possession of more than 5g of cannabis resin (previously 10g), 15g of herbal cannabis or 1g of cocaine, and on cultivation of more than five marijuana plants.
- ^ "40/2009 Sb. Trestní zákoník". Zákony pro lidi (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ "467/2009 Sb. Nařízení vlády, kterým se pro účely trestního zákoníku stanoví, co se považuje za jedy a jaké je mno..." Zákony pro lidi (in Czech). Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ Česky. "Snìmovní tisk 590". Psp.cz. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Česky. "Hlasování Poslanecké snìmovny - 49/103". Psp.cz. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Senát PÈR: 4. schùze, 4. hlasování, 30.01.2013". Senat.cz. 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Carney, Sean (2013-01-30). "Czech Parliament Backs Medical Marijuana, With a Catch - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Radio Prague - News - 01-04-2013 21:30". Radio.cz. Archived from the original on 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Isajanyan, Nerses (July 2016). "Decriminalization of Narcotics: Czech Republic". Library of Congress. The Library of Congress, USA. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
