Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that the Czech government approved a draft bill regarding cannabis cultivation rather than having legalized marijuana cultivation and possession of 50 grams as was previously reported.
The Czech government recently proposed a draft law that would reform criminal law regarding cannabis, with changes including relaxed rules on home cultivation and possession. The draft law now needs to be viewed by both chambers of Parliament.
During a press conference, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek spoke about raising and favoring financial penalties over imprisonment for cannabis offenses.
"Our punishment system is outdated and diverging from the rest of the EU, which is obviously not good," Blažek said, reported Echo24, according to translation.
Under the proposed changes, which could take months to be approved, cultivating up to three cannabis plants and possessing up to 50 grams outside the home and 25 grams inside would be legal. Cultivating four to five plants would be treated as a minor offense, but anything more than that would be considered criminal activity.
The opposition Pirate Party argued that the proposal is inadequate because allowing cultivation of several plants does not permit their harvest, as three plants could yield up to 300 grams.
"Instead of legalization and additional revenue for the budget, the government presents a botched proposal," said former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-leader of the Pirate Party Ivan Bartoš. "You can grow cannabis, but you can't harvest it. Allowing the cultivation of three cannabis plants while limiting possession to 50 grams at home is absurd. It's like being allowed to keep three hens, but if they lay more than one egg, you face a fine or jail time."
Bartoš further argued that proposal is complicating the situation for up to 600,000 medical marijuana patients. The Pirate Party plans to propose increasing the legal possession limit to 900 grams.
The government wants to implement the approved changes before the end of its term.
Read Also: Czech Senate Approves Restrictions On Sale Of Kratom And HHC Products
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Recent Calls For Regulated Cannabis Market
The news comes several months after the governing coalition confirmed it supports cannabis cultivation, but not the establishment of a regulated marijuana market. At the same time, former National Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil shared he doesn't believe that the game is over for full legalization and continues to push for it.
Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by the researchers from the Faculty of Business Economics at the University of Prague concluded that the country could be missing out on hundreds of millions of euros annually if it doesn’t establish a regulated marijuana market. As per the report a “comprehensive model,” incorporating self-cultivation, cannabis clubs and a fully commercial market, could result in "total net social benefits of CZK 5.5 billion (218 million euros; $242 million) per year.
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