New rules for medicinal cannabis for the Czech Republic in 2025!
Last year (2024), medical professionals across Czechia prescribed 318.7 kilograms of medicinal cannabis to an average of 3,300 patients each month, according to the State Institute for Drug Control. This marks another significant milestone in the country’s growing acceptance of cannabis-based treatments, and the trend is expected to accelerate further in 2025.
Starting in April, general practitioners will gain the authority to prescribe medicinal cannabis specifically for chronic pain. Additionally, new legislation will allow prescriptions to cover up to a three-month supply, providing greater flexibility and access for patients.
The rise in prescribed cannabis has been consistent over recent years: 258.8 kilograms were prescribed in 2023, 157.4 kilograms in 2022, and 109.4 kilograms in 2021. Similarly, the number of patients accessing medical cannabis grew from 1,389 in 2021 to 2,570 in 2023.
Shifting Policies on Medicinal Cannabis
Czechia is currently amidst a broader push for reform in its cannabis policies. In late 2024, the government approved a plan to allow adults to grow up to three cannabis plants and possess up to 50 grams for personal use. However, critics argue the proposal is overly restrictive.
Ivan Bartoš, a prominent figure in the Czech Pirate Party, compared the regulations to “allowing people to raise three hens, but limiting them to a single egg.” Advocacy groups are calling for more comprehensive reforms to modernize cannabis laws and maximize the economic and social benefits of legalization.
Expanding Access to Low-THC Products
Another significant policy change is on the horizon this summer. Czechia will regulate the sale of cannabis products with a THC content of up to one percent, as well as kratom, a substance known for its pain-relieving and stimulant properties. Licensed retailers will be permitted to sell these products, but certain sales methods, such as vending machines, will remain prohibited.
The regulatory changes reflect a growing focus on substances with low public health risks, based on current scientific research. This includes low-potency cannabis extracts and tinctures, which will also be available under the new framework.
For advocates of broader cannabis reform, these measures represent progress, albeit incremental. More information on proposals for policy modernization can be found at racionalniregulace.cz.
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