Proposals for regulated cannabis market in Czechia may end up in European court, says official

The planned introduction of a legal, regulated cannabis market in the Czech Republic may end up in the European Court of Justice, said national drug policy coordinator Jindrich Voboril at the Cannabis Summit conference in Prague this weekend.

However, he said he believed this to be the best option, as prohibition has been proven not to work and only brings costs and risks.

The draft, which Voboril is preparing, proposes the authorisation of domestic and commercial cultivation of cannabis, the establishment of special clubs for recreational use, and licensed sale in shops for people over 18.

The creation of a strictly regulated cannabis market is part of the plan to combat addiction, approved by the government in early April, which also includes strengthening prevention and treatment of addiction and higher taxation of addictive substances.

Voboril said that he would like the Chamber of Deputies to approve the bill by the end of the year, ideally allowing the regulated market to start next year.